The cost of this project will depend on the approved improvement alternative, as well as necessary infrastructure relocations and property acquisitions. Funding of $12.58 million for improvements on Trussler Road is included in the Region’s 2024 Transportation Capital Program.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is undertaking the planning and design of the Trussler and Highway 7/8 interchange upgrades.

The Municipal Class EA process is a planning and decision-making process approved under the Environmental Assessment Act that is used by municipalities to plan public infrastructure projects to ensure that potential environmental impacts are considered before a project is approved. This project is being planned as a Schedule ‘C’ Class EA project which applies to larger, more complex projects with the potential for significant environmental impacts (natural, social, cultural, and economic) and requires multiple opportunities for public input.

The 2011 Regional Transportation Master Plan (RTMP) and the 2018 RTMP Update have identified the need to widen Trussler Road to four lanes between Bleams Road (southern limit) and Highway 7/8. The Region’s 2024 Transportation Capital Program (TCP) includes widening (construction) beginning in 2027.

The Region’s 2018 RTMP Update – Active Transportation Network Strategy has identified this road section for the installation of a boulevard multi-use path (MUP). As noted above, enhanced one-way cycling facilities are also being considered by the Project Team.

The Context Sensitive Regional Transportation Corridor Design Guidelines (CDG) is a planning policy document that guides the design of Regional roads. The CDG identifies design parameters for necessary features within the road allowance such as vehicle lanes, cycling facilities, sidewalks, and boulevards. In accordance with the CDG, Trussler Road is identified as a “Neighbourhood Connector – Avenue” from Bleams Road (southern limit) to Ottawa Street, and a “Community Connector” from Ottawa Street to Yellow Birch Drive. Designing Trussler Road to support active transportation modes, including walking and cycling, is a fundamental character of this road classification.

Transit routes are planned for the future and will also be considered in this study.

The Regional Transportation Master Plan and Corridor Design Guidelines support complete and continuous pedestrian facilities on this section of Trussler Road for the full length of this project. A boulevard multi-use path or sidewalk and cycle track would satisfy that requirement.

The Region’s 2023-2027 Growing with Care Strategic Plan is designed to guide the Region of Waterloo as it grows to one million people in the coming decades. The new Strategic Plan focuses on Growing with Care, supporting a long-term vision of a compassionate community that cares for all people, stewards the land for future generations, and gives everyone the opportunity to live a good life.

This project supports the Region’s 2023-2027 Growing with Care Strategic Plan in the following key areas:

1. Homes for All – These improvements will provide the capacity and infrastructure to enable the construction of more subdivisions to accommodate our growing population.
2. Climate Aligned Growth – Efficient transportation networks, particularly those that include active transportation alternatives, promote less congestion and reduce fuel consumption and emissions.  
3. Equitable Services and Opportunities – Multi-modal corridors accommodate all users including commuters, local traffic, active transportation, transit, trucking, farming, and others.

Maintenance of new active transportation facilities along Regional roads is the responsibility of the local municipality.

The existing posted speed limit is 60 km/hr along Trussler Road between Bleams Road (southern limit) and Yellow Birch Drive. No change to the posted speed is being considered at this time.

A noise study will be completed during the preliminary design phase for rear- and side-lotted properties immediately abutting Trussler Road between Bleams Road and Yellow Birch Drive assuming a four-lane road with 2037 forecasted traffic volumes following Part B of the Region’s Noise Policy. This study will confirm the need for any new noise attenuation measures as well as the effectiveness of existing noise attenuation measures along this section of Trussler Road.

One of the goals of the planning and design process for this project is to minimize the impact on adjacent properties and the need to acquire private property. An initial review of the existing road allowance indicates that some property may be required to construct the approved roundabouts at Ottawa Street/Bleams Road and Rickert Way. Acquisition of small parcels of property along select frontages may also be considered as part of this project to achieve a consistent right-of-way width to facilitate future undertakings such as utility or transit improvements.

The Region may need to obtain temporary access at some locations along the right-of-way limit for construction grading activities. Identification of property needs will be completed during the evaluation of alternatives as the study proceeds and will be confirmed during detailed design, following completion of the study.

In areas where property or temporary access is required, the property owner will be contacted directly by the Region of Waterloo’s Land Purchasing Officer. Compensation would be provided at fair market rates based on recent similar area sales. More information is available about the property acquisition process.

As part of the environmental inventory for the project, a Natural Environment Impact Study (EIS) has been initiated with completion of a Background Review Summary documenting the natural features and wildlife within the study area. The EIS will include, but not be limited to wetland and woodland boundary delineation and mapping, amphibian and reptile road mortality surveys, turtle surveys, amphibian call surveys, and bat habitat assessments. Based on available background information, suitable habitats for four significant species were identified at the project outset within the study area. Once complete, the EIS will include recommendations for mitigation measures to be developed and implemented during the detailed design and construction phases if required.

Two unnamed tributaries to Alder Creek flow east to west immediately north and south of Highway 7/8. These tributaries comprise a warm water system and provide fish habitat. One unevaluated wetland, approximately 0.16 hectares in size, is present on the east side of Trussler Road, just north of Bleams Road, and is regulated by the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA). Portions of three woodlands, which are identified as Core Environmental Features within the Region’s Greenland Network, are also present within the study area.

A tree assessment was completed in the summer of 2024 to inventory the various trees within the study area. The trees were assessed for overall health and significance to develop mitigation and protection plans for any trees to be retained. Where trees may be impacted or removed, a compensation strategy will be developed as part of the tree management and landscaping design.

A Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment was completed in September 2020. A review of available cultural heritage resource inventories revealed that there are four designated cultural heritage resources within the study area. Once a Preferred Alternative has been selected, impacts and mitigation measures for cultural heritage resources will be confirmed through the completion of Heritage Impact Assessments and implemented during the detailed design and construction phases.

A Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment (Background Research and Property Inspection) was completed in September 2020. The Stage 1 Background Research indicated that five previously registered sites are within or immediately adjacent to the study area. Some parts of the study area exhibit archaeological potential and will require Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment by test pit or pedestrian survey, before any proposed construction. Other parts of the study area have been previously assessed by Stage 2 pedestrian survey and do not require further Stage 2 survey. The remainder of the study area does not retain archaeological potential due to previous, extensive land disturbance.