1. Why does the plan need to be updated?

There are a number of reasons and objectives for undertaking an update to the 2002 Comprehensive Transportation Plan. The most important of which are as follows:

• Need to update the plan on a regular periodic basis to comply with Ontario’s Planning Act requirements. Assuming the review is completed in 2011, there will be a nine-year gap, since the plan was developed and approved in 2002.
• Need to ensure that the City of Peterborough’s long term population and employment projections are consistent with the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, which was released by Government of Ontario on June 16, 2006.
• Need to find alternatives to the "West Side Corridor", commonly referred to as the "The Parkway", which was the sole infrastructure element in the 2002 Comprehensive Transportation Plan not approved by City Council.

2. What process will be used to update the plan?

The update of the 2002 Comprehensive Transportation Plan must follow the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process. The planning process for Transportation Master Plans requires infrastructure projects to be subjected to the early “need and justification” phases of the EA process, which include analysis of existing conditions, project justification and evaluation of alternative solutions. This streamlines the infrastructure planning and design process and reduces overall implementation risks.

3. What is a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process?

The Class Environmental Assessment Process refers to a planning process that is approved under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act for a class or group of undertakings.

4.  What has happened so far?

At the July 7, 2008 meeting of City Council, Council approved that Morrison Hershfield Limited be retained to update the 2002 Comprehensive Transportation Plan.  The Project is divided into six phases.  Phase A - Problem Statement and Phase B - Planning Framework are completed and were the subject of Public Information Centre #1 which was held in February 2010.  Phase C - Transportation Network is on-going and is the subject of the Feburary 23, 2011 Public Information Centre #2.