The screening report for this project is not completed yet. It should be available at the end of the summer. In the meantime, you can visit the website of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry (CEAR) to monitor the development in this project : Canadian Environmental Assessment Agengy

NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT
of an Environmental Assessment

Extension of Highway 5, Phase 2, section between Chelsea and Wakefield, Municipality of Chelsea and La Pêche, Québec

Chelsea; Wakefield (QC)

March 25, 2009 (Update) - Transport Canada and the National Capital Commission are required to ensure that a screening is conducted commencing on April 14, 2008 in relation to the development proposal: Extension of Highway 5, Phase 2, section between Chelsea and Wakefield, Municipality of Chelsea and La Pêche, Quebec. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is participating as they may also be required to conduct an environmental assessment of the project.

Although the National Capital Commission was delegated the responsibility to conduct this environmental assessment, Transport Canada will act as the Federal Coordinator.

The general nature of the project:

The 'Ministère des Transports du Québec' (MTQ) proposes to build Phase 2 of the Highway 5 extension between Chelsea and Wakefield, in the Municipalities of Chelsea and La Pêche in Quebec. This consists of a split four-lane highway. It will be the second of three phases: Phase 1, for which construction has already begun, is extending the Highway for approximately 2,5 kms from its current end point located in the Municipality of Chelsea. Phase 2 contains two sections, a Chelsea Section and La Pêche Section, which aims at lengthening Highway 5 on a distance of 6.5 km between Meech Creek (Municipality of Chelsea) and Route 366 (Municipality of La Pêche). Phase 3 aims at connecting Route 105 to Highway 5 on a 1 km distance. The three phases are being undertaken separately.

Scale of the project:

Most of the works will be carried out on MTQ land. Parts of NCC lands to be utilized for this project are part of an agreement between Quebec and Canada, and will eventually be transferred to the province of Quebec.

The scope of the project consists of:

• the installation of new bridges for crossing over Meech Creek and La Pêche River;
• the installation of overpasses and underpasses to connect rural roads;
• the construction of several interchanges which will give access to the 366, the 105, the village of Wakefield, Valley Drive Road from the 105 and possibly Highway 5 to Carmen Road; and
• a staging area will be located within the limits of the right of way of Highway 5.

Environmental setting of the project:

The study area is within the Gatineau River valley, in the south-western part of Quebec, in the Outaouais. The study area crosses various terrestrial habitats, alternating between pastures and forests. This valley is located in the bioclimatic sugar maple-basswood domain. The sector is located between Meech Creek and Route 366.

In the vicinity of the study area, the water system is focused around the Gatineau River which drains the whole of the area. Lake systems are rare and marshy sectors are distributed sporadically on this portion of the Canadian Shield. Meech Creek and La Pêche River are located, respectively, at the southern and northern parts of the study area. There are at least 5 other small intermittent streams in the study area.

According to the ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, the project is located in the eco-region 2a - lower Gatineau and is part of the sugar maple-basswood domain and the sugar maple-yellow birch domain. The right of way is approximately 40% forest cover, and 60% agricultural and uncultivated land.

Duration of the project's construction and operation:

The MTQ proposes to begin construction work in 2010 once the Phase 1 works are completed. They will be spread out over a 3-4 years period.

Main environmental issues of concern:

The construction of the Highway 5 extension and related works will be completed according to the provisions contained within the Cahier des charges et devis généraux - CCDG which defines the rights, the obligations and the responsibilities of the MTQ and the contractor within the framework of a road construction contract. Among those provisions, several environmental protection measures are specified, site management procedures are identified which act as general mitigation measures to be applied systematically during the works. When implemented in an appropriate manner by the various contractors, these measures make it possible to significantly minimize the impacts due to construction activities. To these general measures will be added particular mitigation measures which will be identified as part of the environmental assessment.

For the main construction and undertakings, the main impacts foreseen will be on:

Vegetation, because the establishment of the road will require the deforestation of an area, the total area not yet defined.

Fauna, because several species at risk are possibly present or visit the proposed project site. According to Environment Canada, some of these species include: the blanding's turtle, the milk snake, the northern water snake and the smooth green snake. The latter are found on the provincial list of species likely to become threatened or vulnerable.

Noise level for the residents as the construction work will increase noise levels temporarily. However, the operation of the extension of Highway 5 will involve an important reduction of traffic flow on a section of Route 105, which will produce a decrease in the perceived noise levels along the edge of this road. The overall sound impact will be positive for the adjacent residences in this section of Route 105.

During the construction work, the traffic will be disturbed on Route 105 in the work zone. However, operation of the extension of Highway 5 will improve the safety and the accident levels on this section of Route 105.  

Under section 5 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, an environmental assessment is required in relation to this project because Transport Canada may provide financial assistance to the proponent for the purpose of enabling the project and may issue an approval under paragraph 5(1)(a) of the Navigable Waters Protection Act and because the National Capital Commission may provide federal lands for the purpose of enabling this project to be carried out.

Transport Canada will act as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator for this environmental assessment.

For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
AHSD Transport Canada
Transport Canada
Highway 30 & Quebec Projects (AHSD)
330 Sparks St, 19th floor, Tower C, Place de ville
Ottawa  ON  K1A 0N5
Telephone: 613-990-4757
Email: LCEE-CEAA.TC-AHSD@tc.gc.ca

and refer to CEAR reference number 08-01-39821

Note: The Notice of Commencement has been amended on the following dates.
June 20, 2008 at 16:45
March 25, 2009 (Current)