The long road toward improving the area where the Highway 417 Eastbound exit ramp intersects Highway 34 continues. A Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) has been prepared to “document the results of preliminary design” and was made available January 11 for public review. If there are no big concerns raised about the TESR, preparing the detailed design is the next phase of work to be completed.
If you have comments on the TESR, you have until February 10, 2017 to provide your input.

The recommended preliminary design for the intersection included the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of the Highway 417 Eastbound off ramp and Highway 34 intersection, a widening of Highway 34 to accommodate left-turn lanes at the intersection, drainage improvements and utility relocations.

Accidents have continued to happen at the intersection intermittently since Champlain Township and area residents pressured the Ministry of Transportation to look at improvements to the intersection several years ago.

The TESR can be viewed at the Township of Champlain municipal offices at 948 Pleasant Pleasant Corners Road East, Vankleek Hill, Ontario, K0B 1R0. The township offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The TESR can also be viewed at 1835 County Road 23, Dalkeith, ON, K0B 1E0. The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry County Public Library Dalkeith Express is open Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m., on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Send your comments or requests to: David Lindensmith, P. Eng., MTO Project Manager, Ministry of Transportation, Eastern Region, 1355 John Counter Boulevard, Postal Bag 4000, Kingston, ON, K7L 5A3 or by email to: [email protected]
If, after consulting with the Ministry of Transportation’s staff and consultants, you have serious unresolved concerns, you have the right to request a “bump-up”, or Part II Order, from the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change (in writing). Address your request to: Ferguson Block, 11th Floor, 77 Wellesley Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2T5.

If there are no outstanding concerns at the end of the review period, detailed design work may begin without further notice.