The County of Brant has retained IBI Group to undertake Phases 1 and 2 of a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for a Paris Bypass to divert heavy trucks and other through traffic around the community. The study is intended as an update of the Paris Truck Route Study conducted in 2004. The study area for this EA is outlined on the following map.

The 2004 study recommended two finalist bypass routes for further study. One used an extension of Green Lane east of Paris to link Governor Road with Pinehurst Road across the Grand River. The other option went west of Paris using Puttown Road. The County Council did not implement the findings of the 2004 report at that time.

The County's new Transportation Master Plan identifies Paris traffic conditions as a major unresolved issue requiring completion of the Truck Route Study as an Environmental Assessment.

Phase 1 of the new Bypass study will update existing and future traffic problems and opportunities in Paris. Phase 2 will evaluate alternative solutions to address these traffic problems or opportunities, including:

• do nothing;
• continue using the alternative Highway 24A bypass route currently signed around the west side of Paris;
• provide a new designated Paris bypass route to the east or west of Paris similar to the previous 2004 Paris Truck Route Study; or
• identify ways of improving traffic controls in Paris to divert heavy truck traffic away from the downtown.

The new study will assess the expected impacts of Paris growth on local and area traffic conditions. It will also investigate whether and how a new provincial highway being studied by the province in the Brantford to Cambridge Transportation Corridor EA may impact traffic conditions and especially truck traffic through Paris. The potential impact of a bypass on downtown businesses is also being addressed.

Various stakeholders with interests in the Paris area transportation system are being contacted to provide input into this study. Any person interested in this study or wishing to be added to the study mailing list is also encouraged to contact either of the following study contacts for further information or to provide input. An open public meeting to review study findings to date and collect public input is planned in March or April 2010. The study is scheduled for completion in late spring or early summer of 2010.

• Notice of Study Commencement
• 2004 Truck Route study (Body of Report Only)
• NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE
  • Presentation Slides