Connecting the East: A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - April 2022
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ontario.ca/easterntransportation Connecting the East: A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario April 2022
Table of Contents
Minister's Message..........................................................................................................................................................................3
Executive Summary........................................................................................................................................................................5
Introduction............................................................................................................................................................................................7
The Role of Regional Transportation Plans..............................................................................................9
Why Do We Need a Transportation Plan for Eastern Ontario?..............................................................10
Eastern Ontario’s Transportation Network Today.............................................................................10
Challenges and Opportunities..........................................................................................................................13
A Plan for Eastern Ontario.......................................................................................................................................................16
Goal 1: Connecting People and Places......................................................................................................17
Goal 2: Supporting a Competitive and Open for Business Environment..................20
Goal 3: Providing More Choice and Convenience..........................................................................22
Goal 4: Improving Safety and Inclusion....................................................................................................26
Goal 5: Preparing for the Future......................................................................................................................29
The City of Ottawa.........................................................................................................................................................................31
Working Together with Partners.......................................................................................................................................33
Next Steps...........................................................................................................................................................................................34
Minister’s Message
Our government has a plan to build a stronger Ontario and that is
why we are getting shovels in the ground on critical infrastructure
projects like highways, roads, bridges and transit. Our vision includes
an interconnected transportation network that is safe, convenient and
affordable for all Ontarians, no matter where they live. Since taking office,
we have taken decisive action to create a comprehensive and coordinated
approach to transportation planning that will serve as the foundation of a
healthy and prosperous Ontario for generations to come.
Eastern Ontario is home to almost two million people and nearly one
million jobs. This diverse and thriving region faces challenging and costly
gridlock on the highways surrounding our nation's capital, along with a
lack of intercommunity bus services to help people get to work, access
Caroline education and other essential services, and visit their loved ones.
Mulroney People in eastern Ontario deserve transportation that works for them.
And under Premier Ford's leadership, we're delivering on our promise to
Minister of develop a regional plan that addresses the region's unique needs while
Transportation supporting our broader goal to build a better Ontario.
Our regional transportation plan for eastern Ontario – Connecting the East
– contains more than 50 actions that will lay the foundation to improve
people’s access to jobs, housing, healthcare, education and family and
friends. This plan outlines strategies and improvements across different
modes of travel to connect people and places, support a competitive
and open business environment, provide more choice and convenience,
improve safety and inclusion, and help us prepare for the future.
With that in mind, our plan considers many new challenges including
significant population growth, economic transitions, impacts of climate
change, new technologies and shifting demographics that present new
and increased demands on Ontario’s current and future transportation
systems.
This plan will guide our historic investments as we increase the capacity
of the infrastructure and improve the movement of people and goods
along the key eastern corridors. It includes a commitment to look at
practical approaches to fill gaps in travel options for smaller communities
and expand the level of choice in larger ones. And all of the measures
contained within this plan consider ways to increase safety as we build a
transportation network that makes life more convenient for travellers while
embracing innovation and technological change.
Our plan is an evergreen, living document that will continuously evolve,
be updated and improved to be responsive to the needs of people
and businesses. We are committed to continuing to work closely with
municipal, Indigenous, and Francophone communities, transportation
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 3
agencies, including Metrolinx, industry, and businesses to align planning and improve transportation in eastern Ontario. We will also establish a regional transportation task force to provide a venue for local municipal and Indigenous leaders to work together to help connect people to the places they need to go. Together we’re building Ontario and this includes a transportation network for the East that ensures people have access to the roads, highways, bridges, transit and ferries they need to enjoy a better quality of life and that supports economic growth and prosperity. A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 4
Executive Summary
Eastern Ontario is a thriving region in our province. services are well-maintained and improved, and
It is home to the nation’s capital and one of the continuing work to identify needs and opportunities.
nation’s most significant trade corridors, popular Highlights include expanding Highway 417 to fight
tourist destinations, and a diverse economy. gridlock in Ottawa, widening Highway 17 from
However, people and businesses in the region Arnprior to Renfrew, improving ferry services
today are facing numerous transportation that are essential for passengers and goods in
challenges. These challenges range from many communities, and establishing an eastern
fighting gridlock on highways in the Ottawa area region task force to support plan implementation
to accessing more options to travel within and and advise on potential improvements and new
between communities. The regional economy initiatives.
depends on efficient multimodal links, while
adapting to rapid changes in technology and Goal 2: Supporting a competitive and
increasing climate impacts present a challenge for open for business environment
all areas of our province. A reliable, efficient transportation system is critical
for the success of a growing and prosperous
Connecting the East: a draft transportation plan economy in eastern Ontario. Actions in this
for eastern Ontario contains more than 50 actions area of the plan will help create a competitive
to help build a safe, reliable and connected business environment by reducing red tape,
transportation system that keeps people and goods helping highways that are heavily used for goods
moving within and across the region. It includes movement run more smoothly and exploring
investments to rehabilitate and expand highways, opportunities to maximize the potential of the
improve transit and intercommunity bus options, multimodal transportation system including the rail,
support economic development opportunities and marine, air and road transport modes. To support
ensure that the region’s transportation system is the crucial trade corridor along Highway 401, there
ready for the future. will be more truck parking and more interchanges
VISION: compatible with long-combination vehicles (LCVs).
A new marine strategy will be developed to help
Individuals, families and businesses across eastern address challenges and opportunities. And the
Ontario have access to safe and reliable options province will continue to collaborate with the goods
within a transportation system that connects local movement sector to streamline processes, such as
communities, and contributes to the health, well- the online renewal of commercial vehicle licence
being and economic prosperity of the entire region. plates and adoption of electronic logging devices
(ELDs) to track compliance with hours of service
The actions are organized under five goals to
requirements.
improve transportation in the region:
Goal 3: Providing more choice and
Goal 1: Connecting people and places
convenience
Transportation systems are fundamentally about
Public engagement during the development of
providing people and businesses with connections
this plan underscored a desire in the region to add
to get themselves and products and services to
more options for travelling between communities
where they need to go safely and as easily and
and more ways to travel within them. The actions
efficiently as possible. We are taking action to
in this section of the plan include investments
expand infrastructure in strategic locations to
to provide new intercommunity bus services
manage growth, ensuring current facilities and
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 5
in 10 communities in eastern Ontario through Goal 5: Preparing for the future
the Community Transportation Grant Program,
Technological advances are propelling significant
including some in partnership with Indigenous
changes in transportation, providing both an
communities and organizations. Transit and
economic opportunity and a chance to prepare
active transportation improvements in 20 eastern
the region for the arrival of innovative technology
municipalities are supported through the dedicated
like connected and automated vehicles that could
Gas Tax program. The deregulation of the
transform the way people live, work and move in
intercommunity bus sector in 2021 will encourage
the province. Actions under this theme include
new small businesses to provide additional service
investments in the new Ontario Vehicle Innovation
routes to complement those offered by established
Network (OVIN), along with cutting-edge test sites
bus companies. The permanent increase of
for new technologies at Area X.O. in Ottawa. Other
the speed limit on Highway 417 supports faster
actions include expanding high-speed internet
connections between communities.
across the region, assessing provincial locations
Goal 4: Improving safety and inclusion for alternative fueling stations and using the latest
climate data to assess risks to infrastructure.
Making sure the transportation system is safe and
reliable for all users is a key priority for this plan.
Connecting the East will deliver a better
Actions include investments in new, larger, full-
transportation system for the people and
colour, bilingual electronic signs at 11 locations
communities of eastern Ontario, giving them more
that will reduce distractions and will be clearer to
options to get where they need to go, when they
read in both English and French. The Ontario 511
want to get there. We are committed to working
service will continue to provide real-time local
with the federal government, municipalities, states
highway information to keep drivers aware of
and provinces, Indigenous communities and
current conditions, collisions, snow plow locations,
organizations as well as Francophone residents and
construction activities and emergency detour
organizations, transportation providers, businesses,
routes. Design and maintenance standards will
industry, and academia to ensure the transportation
consider the needs associated with slow-moving
system supports the prosperity of the regional
farm equipment, as well as ways to manage Wild
economy and provides a better quality of life for
Parsnip, an invasive species that grows rapidly and
eastern residents and all Ontarians.
blocks sightlines along roads.
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 6
Introduction
Connecting the East: a draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario aims
to build a safe, convenient and connected transportation network that
addresses the unique needs of the eastern region. The plan contains
more than 50 actions that will help connect local communities, fight
gridlock on our busy highways and roads and keep them safe and
reliable, add more public transit and active transportation, and support a
globally competitive economy.
The area covered by the plan extends from the District of Muskoka in
the west to the Counties of Prescott and Russell in the east. The largest
urban centres in the region are Ottawa and Kingston, followed by the
mid-sized cities of Cornwall, Belleville and Quinte West, along with
many smaller towns and villages.
The City of Ottawa is the nation’s capital and the largest city in eastern
Ontario, containing more than half of the region’s total population. It has
a complex multimodal transportation network, which includes dedicated
higher-order transit in the form of the Transitway bus rapid transit (BRT)
and O-Train light rail transit (LRT) systems.
Eastern Ontario as a whole is home to 1.8 million people1. The region
is expected to experience gradual population growth, achieving just
under 2.45 million residents in 20512. Approximately 75% of this growth is
expected to occur in the Ottawa area.
__________________________
1 Statistics Canada. Census of Population, 2016: Profile for Canada, Provinces,
Territories, Census Divisions, Census Subdivisions and Dissemination Areas.
2 Based on Ontario Ministry of Finance forecasts.
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 7
About Eastern Ontario
1.8 million people
over 44,000 square km
(Density: 41 People/km²)
Population expected to grow
to over 2.4 million by 2051
15% of the region’s population
identifies as Francophone
53% of Eastern Ontarians reside
in Ottawa,
which is growing the fastest in the
region
28% of the population
lives in rural areas
Key Industries
Public services, retail, professional
services, education, hospitality
The natural landscape
includes Canadian Shield, St. Lawrence
Lowlands and protected areas such as
Thousand Islands National Park.
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 8
The Role of Regional Transportation Plans In 2019, Ontario committed to developing regional plans to build a better, more seamless transportation system across the province. Regional transportation plans consider all modes of travel – road, rail, air and marine – as one integrated system and provide a vision of the transportation system of the future. This plan for eastern Ontario is the final of four plans addressing the distinct transportation needs of each region of the province. In January 2020, Connecting the Southwest: a draft transportation plan for southwestern Ontario was released, followed by Connecting the North: a draft transportation plan for Northern Ontario in December 2020. Connecting the GGH: A Transportation Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe was released in March 2022. A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 9
Why Do We Need a Transportation Plan
for Eastern Ontario?
Eastern Ontario’s Transportation Network Today
Eastern Ontario occupies a strategic location advanced manufacturing sector, agriculture
between the Greater Golden Horseshoe in the west shipments and food processing as well as a vibrant
and Greater Montreal in the east – Canada’s two logistics and warehousing sector. Highways 17 and
largest urban centres. 7 are also important corridors, connecting Ottawa
to the North and to Peterborough respectively,
Highway 401 is a major trade corridor between along with Highway 11 in Muskoka District.
Montreal and Toronto. It is heavily used to move
both passengers and goods, along with Highways The rail network in eastern region plays a vital
416 and 417, which connect the 401 to the role in the transportation of goods and people
Ottawa region. These highways serve the region’s and is made up of rail lines operated by Canadian
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 10National Railway (CN), Canadian between Lansdowne, Ontario
Pacific Railroad (CP), and VIA Rail and Alexandria Bay, New York, is
(passenger service that connects the only bridge in eastern Ontario
Montreal and Ottawa to Toronto). that ranks in the top 20 Canada-
In eastern Ontario, there are three U.S. border crossings, coming in
international/regional airports: 7th nationally and 5th in Ontario.
Ottawa’s Macdonald - Cartier The other two highway border
International Airport, Kingston crossings are located at Cornwall
Norman Rogers Airport and and Johnstown. They mainly serve
Muskoka Regional Airport. The non-truck traffic. The Cornwall
Ottawa Airport is the region’s only Crossing connects Highway 138 in
international airport; the other two, Ontario to New York State Highway
located in Kingston and Muskoka 37.
respectively, offer scheduled
passenger service. Along the St. Lawrence Seaway,
the three major commercial
Besides numerous bridges that ports that ship bulk minerals and
connect Ontario and Quebec, agricultural goods are located in
especially in the Gatineau region, Johnstown, Bath/Lafarge and
there are three border crossings to Picton. Ferry services provide
the U.S. located at the Thousand important connections to locations
Islands Bridge, Ogdensburg- along the shores of Lake Ontario
Prescott International Bridge and the St. Lawrence, with two
(which is owned and operated by of the most important being the
the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Glenora Ferry and Wolfe Island
Authority, a New York State public- Ferry, which carry both goods and
benefit corporation) and the Three passengers.
Nations Crossing associated with
the Seaway International Bridge.
The Thousand Islands Bridge
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 11Facts about the Eastern Ontario
Transportation Network
1,140 km
of 400 series highways
Over 2,300 km of
cycling routes
as part of the province-
wide cycling network
4 intercommunity bus
companies
1 international airport
and 15 municipal airports
3 major ports
and 11 ferry services
Passenger and freight
rail services
provided by VIA Rail, CN
and CP
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 12Challenges and Opportunities
Fighting gridlock on get people and goods where they
provincial highways in the need to go. Rehabilitation projects,
Ottawa area new bridges and interchanges are
all needed to maintain network
With 75% of eastern Ontario’s
capacity and fight gridlock.
population growth in the next 30
years expected to occur in the
For those who do not have access
Ottawa area, it is clear that action
to a car, the availability of other
must be taken to increase the
passenger transportation options
capacity of current infrastructure.
is critically important, particularly
Gridlock is a common experience
in rural communities. Many people
for commuters on Highway 417
depend on intercommunity bus
driving into the city, which has
services to get to their jobs in
the largest commuter shed in
neighbouring communities, to
the eastern region. Across the
access education or essential
city during the morning peak,
services, and to visit friends and
the Queensway between the
family. Yet intercommunity bus
Highway 416/417 interchange and
services in the region have suffered
Montreal Road is regularly above
from a lack of competition due
capacity, creating substantial delays
to the former licencing regime,
for commuters and leading to
and more recently have been
economic costs in lost productivity.
weakened with the departure of
For interprovincial commercial
Greyhound and the suspension of
trucking, trucks must often travel
service routes due to the COVID-19
through the downtown area, adding
pandemic.
to local congestion.
This plan identifies improvements
This plan will address gridlock and
to the eastern Ontario highway and
plan for future growth through the
road network to ensure it continues
rehabilitation and expansion of local
to provide reliable connections
highway capacity in Ottawa and
across the region and beyond. It
throughout the region, ensuring that
includes plans to widen sections of
the regional transportation system
Highway 17, add new interchanges,
supports the efficient movement of
repair bridges and multiple highway
both people and goods well into the
structures.
future.
In support of intercommunity
Addressing gaps in smaller passenger travel, this plan also
cities and rural areas includes investments to fill service
The highway and road network in gaps by launching new local and
eastern Ontario forms the backbone intercommunity bus services in
of the regional transportation partnership with local providers.
system. Most trips in the region Through deregulation, Ontario is
occur by car, and whether a trip also supporting a streamlined safety
involves a car, bus, or truck, all regime for smaller vehicles such as
depend on a robust road network to van services providing passenger
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 13travel to under 10 people. The plan
supports the efforts of municipalities The Transportation Needs
with local transit networks to extend of Food Production
and improve their services and
encourages experimentation with There are 7,257 farms
newer, on-demand service models. in eastern Ontario that
It also recognizes that incorporating produced $1.56 billion
safe active transportation links in gross farm receipts
including sidewalks and bike lanes in 2020, about 9% of
along regional roads or across a the province’s total.
bridge can better connect people Transportation planning
with a neighbouring community. needs to account for
the unique needs of
Strengthening goods farmers, whether this
movement and unlocking means ensuring roads are
economic growth wide enough to allow for
Highway 401 is the key artery the movement of farm
of the Ontario-Quebec trade equipment, minimizing
corridor, with trucks representing traffic noise proximity to
up to half the daily traffic volume. animals, or reducing winter
As the goods movement sector salt contamination of fields.
expands, there is an increased Agricultural commodities
need for truck parking and rest like dairy, corn and
stops, and interchanges that can soybeans need to travel
accommodate long-combination to processing facilities
vehicles (LCVs). At the same time, before going to market,
there may be opportunities to and while dairy is often
increase the use of other modes consumed locally, corn and
for goods movement, such as soybeans grown in the east
through intermodal marine and rail region are part of complex
facilities and regional airports. international supply chains.
This plan ensures that
This plan not only includes farmers can move their
actions to support the commercial equipment where it needs
trucking sector and plan for to go while not impeding
the long-term widening of the local road network.
the 401 corridor, but it also
considers longer-term strategic Adapting to current and
opportunities for more multimodal future challenges
goods movement with the
The COVID-19 pandemic has
development of a marine strategy
had significant impacts around
and consideration of municipal
the world and across Ontario.
airports, which can be an efficient
The pandemic has created and
mode for courier services and
exacerbated financial challenges
time-sensitive goods.
for transportation service providers
and transit systems, and while
we are seeing some services
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 14beginning to recover, the longer-term impacts We have the opportunity to build a system that
remain unclear. COVID-19, along with the more leverages new technologies to improve services
frequent and intense weather events associated and manage costs. As the transportation sector
with a changing climate, underscores the challenge changes, Ontario is poised to reap economic
of ensuring the transportation system is reliable and benefits from investments in cutting edge
resilient in the face of uncertainty. technologies pioneered and tested in eastern
Ontario.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario has
allocated up to $260 million through Safe Restart
Area X.O. and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation
Agreement (SRA) funding in three phases, and up
Network
to $1.9 million through Municipal Transit Enhanced
Cleaning (MTEC) funding to support municipal
The eastern region is known for being
transit systems in eastern Ontario. Additionally,
the home of some of Canada’s strongest
to make up for reduced gas sales due to the
contributors to science and technology, such
COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021-22 Gas Tax program
as the Chalk River nuclear research facility in
funding includes one-time additional funding of
Deep River. Today in Ottawa, some of Canada’s
$120.4 million to ensure that Gas Tax recipients
most exciting research in transportation
across Ontario can continue to support their transit
technologies is occurring at Area X.O., which is
systems.
tapping into the talent of the local technology
sector. Area X.O. is one of seven regional
In addition to COVID-19, the current pace of
technology development sites (RTDS) funded
technological change is leading to a transformation
across the province by the Ontario Vehicle
in transportation on a scale that parallels the
Innovation Network (OVIN). These sites are
invention of the automobile. The proliferation
business incubators for start-ups and small-
and availability of data tools, GPS and satellite
and medium-sized enterprises to develop and
imagery have spurred advances in everything from
test connected, automated and/or electric
navigation, to fleet telematics, to transit integration
vehicle technologies. One Area X.O. project,
and live traffic reports. Advances are occurring
in collaboration with partners like Transport
simultaneously in new forms of micro-mobility such
Canada, EasyMile, and others, successfully
as e-scooters, electrified transport and alternative
piloted Ontario’s first-ever on-road Low-Speed
fuels, and connected and automated vehicles.
Automated Shuttle (LSAS) under Ontario’s
Automated Vehicle Pilot Program in the fall of
We understand that these challenges are also
2020. This trial provided valuable insight and
opportunities to build a stronger and more resilient
lessons learned on how to integrate these
transportation system that has a reduced carbon
vehicles into Ontario's transportation system in
footprint while building on Ontario’s strengths
the future.
in auto manufacturing to become an advanced
manufacturing hub, for example of electric vehicles.
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 15A Plan for Eastern Ontario
This section outlines more than We are committed to working
50 actions that are being taken to with the federal government,
achieve the transportation vision municipalities, Indigenous
for eastern Ontario. The actions communities and organizations,
are organized across the following Francophone residents and
goal areas: organizations, transportation
agencies and local businesses as
1. Connecting people and places we move forward to implement
2. Supporting a competitive and the plan actions, gather feedback
open for business environment and identify opportunities for
3. Providing more choice and improvement.
convenience
4. Improving safety and inclusion With ongoing engagement and
5. Preparing for the future collaboration, the implementation
of this plan will create a reliable
This plan is intended as a living and effective transportation
document, designed to be system that provides a foundation
updated to ensure that it continues for the continued strength and
Vision: to meet the needs of people and prosperity of eastern Ontario.
businesses in eastern Ontario.
Individuals,
We know that the success of
families and the plan will depend on working
businesses across closely with many partners.
eastern Ontario
have access to
safe and reliable
options within a
transportation
system that
connects local
communities, and
contributes to the
health, well-being
and economic
prosperity of the
entire region.
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 16Goal 1: Connecting People and Places Transportation systems are fundamentally about of the corridor, with work also ongoing to prioritize providing people and businesses with connections highway segments for expansion along the 401. to get where they need to go as easily and Other actions include convening a task force to efficiently as possible. Actions in this section of the inform further plan development and launching plan help connect people and places by investing a technical study of the region’s transportation in infrastructure capacity, including by ensuring system that will include review of transportation that infrastructure improvements along Highway needs and options for Muskoka District and 401 will be able to accommodate future widening Haliburton County. A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 17
Actions operational needs, and recommend
transportation improvements along
1. Expand Highway 417 in the Highway 401 in Quinte West and
City of Ottawa by widening to four
Belleville.
continuous lanes in each direction
between Highway 416 and Maitland
7. Complete Preliminary Design
Avenue.
and Class EA study for a new
interchange at Highway 416 and
2. Widen Highway 17 from two to Barnsdale Road in Ottawa.
four lanes from Arnprior to Renfrew
and construct four interchanges,
8. Explore opportunities to add
including one at Calabogie Road.
passing lanes on Highway 35
south of Lindsay to alleviate local
3. Rehabilitate and twin the existing congestion.
Norris Whitney Bridge between
Belleville and Prince Edward
9. Explore opportunities to support
County. Twinning the existing
improvements being planned in
bridge will ensure that there is
Kanata North, as part of longer-term
enough capacity for forecasted
plans to redevelop the Kanata North
traffic demand and also allow
Special Economic District.
the rehabilitation of the existing
structure before 2030. 10. Support eastern Ontario
municipalities through the
4. Plan for the rehabilitation or Connecting Links program to
replacement of highway structures repair roadways and bridges
at 14 locations in the United to improve connections to
Counties of Leeds and Grenville and communities or border crossings.
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Ontario has provided $25 million
This includes determining long-term since 2018 to eastern Ontario
plans for the Maitland Road, Edward municipalities. Projects in eastern
Street and Highway 16 interchanges, Ontario include pedestrian and
and planning for six to eight lanes road safety improvements at the
along Highway 401. Highway 33 intersection in Prince
Edward County, Beckwith Street
5. Plan for the rehabilitation or renewal between Russell Street
replacement of highway structures and Elmsley Street in Smiths Falls
at five locations in the area of and reconstruction of O'Brien Road
Brockville and the United Counties in Renfrew.
of Leeds and Grenville. This work
also includes planning for six to 11. Complete an update to the
eight lanes along Highway 401 in 2017 Environmental Assessment
Brockville. (EA) and an addendum to
the associated report for the
6. Complete Preliminary intersection of County Road 42
Design and Class Environmental and Highway 15 to determine
Assessment (EA) study to preferred improvements at this
identify rehabilitation, safety, and location.
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 1812. Invest in on-reserve road sustainability features. Ontario
construction and maintenance is also procuring a new vessel
projects with First Nation for Simcoe Island that will be
communities through the First operational in late 2022.
Nations Road Program. Since
2018, $2.3 million has been
15. Undertake a technical
study and analysis to support
provided to five First Nations
the implementation and further
communities in eastern Ontario.
development of the eastern
13. Establish a task force of local transportation plan, including
mayors and Indigenous leaders for the District of Muskoka
to make recommendations to and Haliburton County. This
the Ministry of Transportation eastern Ontario transportation
(MTO) on additional actions to planning study will consider
improve rail, bus and local transit long range economic and travel
services across eastern Ontario. demand forecasts and identify
The task force will focus on additional infrastructure, services
the transportation needs and and policies to meet future
opportunities in eastern Ontario transportation needs.
with a strong emphasis on
ensuring people can travel more
16. As part of MTO’s work on
the eastern Ontario transportation
efficiently and connect to critical
plan technical study, undertake
services.
an assessment of needs along
14. Continue to ensure Highway 416, including new
Ontario’s provincial ferry services interchanges and rest stops.
connect communities on Wolfe
Island, Amherst Island, Simcoe
17. As part of MTO’s work on the
eastern Ontario transportation
Island and Howe Island as
plan technical study, explore the
well as between Glenora and
potential of an Ottawa ring road
Adolphustown. Ontario’s first
to reduce congestion in the city
fully electric ferries, the Amherst
core.
Islander II and Wolfe Islander IV,
are expected to begin service in
Spring 2022. Both new vessels
will feature loading areas to
separate pedestrians and
cyclists from vehicles as well as
improved safety, accessibility and
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 19Goal 2: Supporting a Competitive and
Open for Business Environment
An efficient and reliable multimodal working with the municipality
transportation system is critical on future opportunities such as
to the economy. A strong goods the proposed Belleville Eastern
movement sector helps attract Arterial Road (BEAR) interchange.
investment, keeps business costs
down and ensures necessary 20. Continue to expand truck
supplies are available. The actions parking along provincial highways.
under this goal will improve the The government is improving
functioning of key corridors and four rest areas in eastern Ontario
support the trucking industry by including:
reducing red tape and making it • Converting a former
easier for truckers to find parking vehicle inspection facility in
where and when they need it. Gananoque to a truck rest area
Actions also explore opportunities to with 29 spaces (completed
leverage other modes including air July 30, 2021).
and marine for greater flexibility and • Increasing truck parking at the
responsiveness to market demand. ONroute in Bainsville.
• Increasing truck parking at the
Actions Trenton South ONroute.
18. Ensure highway interchanges • Increasing truck parking at the
are designed to accommodate existing rest area at Gibson
Long Combination Vehicles Lake along Highway 17.
(LCVs) and make improvements
on existing interchanges where 21. Consider mitigation measures
appropriate. In eastern Ontario, when upgrading major rail corridor
planning along Highway 401 near crossings (for example, Toronto to
Belleville includes interchanges Montreal rail corridor), so that farm
that may be able to accommodate equipment access to fields and
LCVs in the future. Since each LCV farm operations is not impeded.
replaces two conventional tractor
trailers, they reduce shipping 22. Cut red tape for the
costs and cut overall fuel use and commercial vehicle industry by
emissions. They also have a better implementing digital solutions
safety record than single-trailer for products and services the
trucks. industry relies upon. This includes
implementing online renewal
19. Continue provincial highway for heavy commercial vehicle
corridor improvements for licence plates in 2022, continued
interchanges along Highway monitoring and promotion of
401 near Belleville, including online products introduced by
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 20MTO (for example, Oversize/ 25. Continue to work with
Overweight Permits), supporting stakeholders and operators to
industry in the forthcoming support the recovery and growth
adoption of Electronic Logging of the passenger cruise ship
Devices (ELDs) as a tool to support industry. This includes working
industry compliance with hours with the federal government to
of service requirements, and resolve regulatory issues related
continued monitoring of the use of to operating cruises in the Great
pre-clearance and pre-screening Lakes.
technologies at truck inspection
stations to reduce administrative 26. Develop an Ontario Marine
delays and improve road safety. Strategy, with private and
public partners, to improve the
23. Continue to support tourism performance and sustainability
in eastern Ontario through of the marine transport system,
promotional partnerships with including within the Great Lakes
Destination Ontario and the Travel and St. Lawrence River.
Information Centre located at the
Bainsville ONroute Centre along
Highway 401.
24. Support the sustainability
of local airports in the region.
MTO recently conducted an
airport survey to update data
on the role of Ontario's local
airports in supporting economic
development and public service
delivery. The survey results will
provide insight on the current state
of Ontario's local and regional
aviation sector, as well as a view
to future needs and opportunities
for supporting the multimodal
transportation system.
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 21Goal 3: Providing More Choice and Convenience Whether in a city, small town, agricultural area or theme waterpark in Canada. The Rideau Canal is the highlands, access to different travel options that popular for skating in winter and boat trips along are convenient means more people can get where the Canal’s locks in the summer. Prince Edward they need to go. The actions in this section fill in County is criss-crossed by multi-use trails and is very service gaps in smaller communities and increase popular for its wineries, farm-to-table restaurants and choice in larger ones. The actions also add choices Sandbanks Provincial Park. From Gananoque, visitors and connections for tourism and recreation. A short can take a dinner boat cruise to tour the beautiful distance from Ottawa, for example, is the largest Thousand Islands National Park. A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 22
Actions
30. Continue taking action to
27. Improve public transit improve the province’s highway
through provincial contributions
network by increasing posted
towards the Investing in Canada
speed limits permanently on six
Infrastructure Program. As of
sections of provincial highway,
November 2021, Infrastructure
including two sections in eastern
Canada has approved 21
Ontario along Highway 417 from
projects across 8 eastern Ontario
Gloucester (east of Ottawa) to the
municipalities which will add
Quebec border and from Kanata
45 new buses, information
to Arnprior. Each highway section
technology upgrades including
has been carefully selected
passenger counters and new
based on their ability to safely
active transportation facilities
accommodate the higher speed
connected to transit.
limit.
28. Support community 31. Continue to make it easier
transportation in areas that are
for companies to provide
unserved or underserved by
intercommunity bus services. The
transit services through the
province deregulated the sector
Ontario Community Transportation
effective July 1, 2021, which now
Grant Program (CT Program). Ten
provides for a significantly more
municipalities in eastern Ontario
open market for new bus service
are receiving up to $8.3 million
providers to enter, and for existing
over seven years (2018-2025) to
bus carriers to alter or offer more
deliver local and intercommunity
routes. This supports improved
bus services, including some that
transportation options, economic
have partnered with Indigenous
communities and organizations.
The Ontario Tourism
Recovery Program
29. Fund transportation programs
and investments across all modes
The Ministry of Heritage,
in collaboration with municipal and
Sport, Tourism and Culture
federal governments, including
Industries launched the
through existing programs such
$100 million Ontario Tourism
as Ontario's Dedicated Gas Tax
Recovery Program to help
Funds for Public Transportation
stabilize the province’s
Program. In 2021-22 through the
tourism industry as it
Gas Tax program, approximately
recovers from the impacts
$46 million will be provided
of COVID-19. The program
to 19 municipalities to expand
supports eligible Ontario-
and improve municipal transit
based tourism businesses
systems and infrastructure in
in the for-profit attractions,
eastern Ontario. This funding can
accommodations and
be used to extend service hours,
transportation sectors that
buy transit vehicles, add routes,
have been hardest hit by
improve accessibility or upgrade
COVID-19. Funding recipients
infrastructure.
will be notified soon.
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 23recovery and red tape reduction Golden Horseshoe with the eastern
for business. The province also region.
continues to support the growth of
smaller providers who use vehicles 34. Prioritize active transportation
carrying fewer than 10 passengers and local transit improvements
by enhancing safety and insurance that connect the regional transit
oversight. network with underserved
communities, to make it safer,
32. Work with the federal easier and faster for residents
government to advance planning to access amenities, attractions,
for their High Frequency Rail employment opportunities,
proposal to provide frequent, educational institutions and critical
electrified passenger rail service services. This will include:
from Toronto to Peterborough, • Promoting walking and cycling
Ottawa, Montréal, and Québec City. as a first choice for short
trips and access to transit
33. Explore opportunities, such stations by connecting active
as a technical assessment or pilot transportation routes to make a
program, for increased passenger safe and convenient network.
rail service to better connect • Supporting the use of on-
municipalities in the Greater demand micro-transit to better
serve low demand conventional
routes or new routes, and to
Dedicated Gas Tax Funds improve first-mile/last-mile
for Public Transportation connections to conventional
Program public transit services, such as
bus routes and light rail transit.
Ontario's Dedicated Gas
Tax Funds for Public 35. Update the Low Speed
Transportation Program Vehicle Pilot to reduce burden
has provided funding to on industry and consumers
enable Ottawa to support and support uptake of the pilot
service route changes and program. Low Speed Vehicles are
growth, as well as move fully electric vehicles powered
forward on the design by a rechargeable motor. The
and construction of new pilot program supports the Made
park and ride facilities and In Ontario Environment Plan
support the purchase of objectives.
37 replacement transit
buses. Belleville used its
2020 funding toward new
shelters, bus stop upgrades
and transit terminal
expansion. Renfrew used
part of its 2020 funding
toward a new van for its
specialized transit service.
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 2436. Improve local and regional 37. Continue to support a
cycling linkages by working world-class system of diversified
with municipalities, Indigenous trails across the region, planned
communities, private landowners, and used in an environmentally
conservation authorities and responsible manner, that enhance
provincial transportation agencies the health and prosperity of locals
to expand cycling routes, and visitors. In eastern Ontario
infrastructure and amenities these trails serve a variety of
identified in the province-wide modes and connect communities
cycling network study. Recent and tourism destinations in the
accomplishments include the region with Northern and central
completion of cycling routes Ontario, Quebec and New York
along Highway 28 from Lakefield state.
to Bancroft, on Highway 118 from
Loon Lake to Highway 28, along
portions of Highway 33 between
Kingston and Prince Edward
County, as well as park and ride
facilities along the Thousand Island
Parkway Waterfront Trail.
Cycling Tourism in Eastern Ontario
Tourism is an important part of eastern Ontario’s economy,
with walking and cycling growing in popularity. In 2019, there
were 2.1 million visits from domestic and overseas tourists to
the region that included cycling and hiking, generating over
$662.1 million in tourism spending3.
__________________________
3 Statistics Canada’s National Travel Survey + Visitor Travel Survey 2019
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 25Goal 4: Improving Safety and Inclusion
Ontario’s transportation network replacing separate English and
is among the safest in North French variable message signs
America, but there remain areas (VMS) with a single larger full
for improvement. Actions in this colour bilingual VMS, it will also
section increase safety and help enhance safety by reducing the
the transportation system to frequency of roadside distractions.
better serve all users. Actions The province is currently
include making more real-time supporting the design and
information available about road installation of three new bilingual
conditions which supports safer VMS in frequently travelled
travel decisions. Improving safety designated bilingual areas of
often reinforces inclusion, as eastern Ontario, and planning for
when a single bilingual electronic new installations at 11 more sites
sign replaces smaller, separate along Highways 7, 17, 401, and 417.
English and French ones, reducing
distractions and making wayfinding 40. Raise awareness of
easier for everyone. And some human trafficking by working in
actions are about making sure partnership with the private sector,
that transportation decisions and including the province's ONroute
investments consider all potential operators and the commercial
users’ needs and all who may be trucking industry, as well as MTO
impacted by a project. agencies as appropriate. The
travelling public and front-line
Actions workers will be encouraged to
38. Increase availability of near recognize the signs of suspicious
real-time highway information to activity and report them to
keep travellers aware of current authorities. Actions include
conditions, including collisions, investing in added lighting and
road and weather conditions, security cameras for rest areas,
snow plow locations, construction promoting anti-human trafficking
activities and emergency detour information and resources at
routes. The Ontario 511 mobile app transportation hubs, engaging
is available for free for all drivers Ontario’s trucking industry as a
and offers a 'trucker mode' to help key partner in combatting human
truck drivers find places where trafficking, and providing training
they can safely stop and rest, eat opportunities for truck drivers and
at truck-friendly restaurants, use Ministry of Transportation staff.
washrooms and more.
41. Continue to work with
39. Invest in larger electronic Indigenous communities and
signage to deliver important organizations to facilitate early
messages to road users in both and meaningful engagement and
English and French. This initiative consultation on projects, including
will improve the delivery of identifying how reconciliation will
French-language services to be incorporated.
Francophone motorists, and by
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 2642. Adapt and respond to Indigenous Wayfinding on
emerging commercial vehicle
Ottawa’s LRT System
safety priorities in Ontario. This
includes continuing to work
An Algonquin Wayfinding
with the commercial vehicle
Wheel was unveiled in
sector and policing partners, and
2021 at the Pimisi O-Train
enforcing safety requirements for
Station and City Hall
commercial vehicles including
in Ottawa, and will be
trucks, tractors or buses on-road
installed at all O-Train
by MTO enforcement officers and
stations. The Wayfinding
police officers, as well as through
Wheel is inspired by the
facility audits.
traditional four sacred
directions and reflects
43. Expand services to support Algonquin culture
Ontario’s important Franco-
and the history of the
Ontarian community. As of
Algonquin territory. It
September 2020, individuals can
was designed through
request their Francophone name
a participatory process
be printed with French characters
involving Algonquin
on their driver’s licence or Ontario
Elders and community
photo card. This is an example of
members from Algonquins
the French Language Services
of Pikwàkanagàn First
Strategy in action.
Nation and Kitigan Zibi
Anishinabeg, as well as
44. Work with municipalities and representatives from the
private sector partners to improve
Algonquins of Ontario
lighting at road/rail crossings,
(AOO) organization. The
commuter parking lots and rest
province has provided
areas, and find ways to incorporate
funding support to this
alternative sources of energy such
initiative through an up to
as solar power in remote locations.
$600 million commitment
to the Ottawa Light Rail
45. Address the threats and Transit Stage 1 project.4
challenges of invasive vegetation
species such as Wild Parsnip along
provincial highways. Wild Parsnip
is a noxious weed, common in
eastern Ontario, that grows rapidly
within the highway right-of-way.
Serious rashes, burns or blisters
can occur on a person’s skin when
exposed to the sap in combination
with sunlight. The province will
continue to develop a strategy to
__________________________
4 To learn more about the Wayfinding Wheel installations, please see the City of
Ottawa news release.
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 27manage invasive species with the 49. Develop and follow best
Ministry of Northern Development, practices for highway planning
Mines, Natural Resources and and design that consider wildlife
Forestry to effectively manage crossing opportunities. Such
invasive species vegetation along highway planning design and
provincial roadsides. construction processes protect
essential ecological processes
46. Establish accessible signage and public health and safety,
and wayfinding standards that while minimizing environmental
recognize areas of Indigenous and social impacts, and providing
cultural, ecological and recreational opportunities.
spiritual significance, including In eastern Ontario, recent
communities and place names. improvements to Highway 15
This may include accessible included passage and exclusion
signage and wayfinding provided systems to protect Blanding’s
in multiple languages where Turtle (federally designated as an
appropriate to advance Indigenous endangered species), including
tourism in Ontario. two concrete box culverts and
permanent fencing.
47. Develop a framework
for transportation access and
inclusion that will guide MTO
in considering the experiences
of underserved people or
communities, such as racialized
groups and Indigenous peoples,
inclusive of age, gender, income
and persons with disabilities, in its
transportation decisions.
48. Consider the movement and
safety risks associated with large,
slow-moving farm equipment
and transportation of agricultural
products to market in road and rail
design, such as shoulder, curb and
traffic circle design, speed limits
and signage.
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 28Goal 5: Preparing for the Future
Eastern Ontario needs a transportation network partnership to install electric vehicle charging
that is resilient and reliable in the face of extreme stations at all ONroute locations, including several
weather and other events, that embraces innovation locations in eastern Ontario such as Odessa,
and technological change, and prepares the region Mallorytown and Morrisburg.
for the increased use of drone technology and
electrified and automated vehicles. With many 52. Develop a Transportation Electrification Policy
people increasingly working and connecting with to support electric vehicle (EV) uptake in Ontario.
others from home as a result of the COVID-19 The development of the policy will be informed by
pandemic, these actions include investments in stakeholder engagement, including through the
broadband and cellular networks to create a level Transportation Electrification Council. The Council
playing field in services across the region. was established in fall 2021 with representation
from industry leaders and community stakeholders
Actions to identify opportunities in the areas of charging
50. Use the most up-to-date climate data and infrastructure, awareness-raising, information on
information, including findings from Ontario’s upfront costs and the supply of EVs in Ontario.
provincial level Climate Change Impact Assessment This dovetails with the Driving Prosperity provincial
(PCCIA), to help ensure that transportation commitment to position Ontario as a North
infrastructure takes into account climate change American leader in the production of hybrid and
impacts and risks. electric vehicles and batteries, as well as with
Ontario’s announcement in October 2020 that it
51. Review locations for alternative fueling stations would provide $295 million to support Ford Motor
for public use, including electric and hydrogen. This Company’s $1.8 billion investment to transform its
will support potential private sector commercial Oakville Assembly Complex into an electric vehicle
partnerships and competitiveness as well as manufacturing hub.
contribute to ensuring our clean electricity system
is ready to accommodate electric and innovative 53. Invest in improvements to broadband
transportation. Recently, Ontario announced a internet and cellular infrastructure in eastern
A draft transportation plan for eastern Ontario - 29Ontario, including in Indigenous 55. Explore the use of
communities, as part of a advanced air mobility (AAM)
commitment to ensure all technology, including drones,
Ontarians have access to high- for shipping goods, providing
speed internet by the end of 2025. better connections to remote
This is part of a nearly $4 billion communities and improving
investment in Ontario’s first-ever safety services. The province is
broadband and cellular strategy. working with federal partners to
High-speed internet and cellular get a better understanding of AAM
connectivity are essential in and how it can support Ontario’s
enabling rural Canadians to work, transportation goals. Potential
learn and keep in touch with family safety uses for AAM include the
and friends – particularly as the ability to inspect infrastructure,
COVID-19 pandemic necessitates monitor forest fires and investigate
a shift to online activities. In road collisions.
2021, Ontario announced a joint
investment of over $362 million 56. Invest $56.4 million over
to bring high-speed internet to the next four years to create the
90,124 rural households in eastern new Ontario Vehicle Innovation
Ontario. Ontario is also supporting Network (OVIN). This investment
a cellular connectivity project led will help accelerate the
by the Eastern Ontario Regional development of next generation
Network and Rogers, with over electric, connected and
$300 million to significantly autonomous vehicle and mobility
improve mobile access across the technologies that contribute
region. to a lower environmental and
carbon footprint and support the
54. Prepare Ontario's development of made-in-Ontario
transportation system for the advanced automotive and smart
safe deployment of connected mobility technology.
and automated vehicle (CV/AV)
technology to increase access
to mobility options and boost
Area X.O. tests drones
economic development by:
• Updating the legislative and
Located in Ottawa, Area X.O.
regulatory framework to
is one of the Ontario Vehicle
support CV/AV adoption.
Innovation Network's (OVIN)
• Considering cross-border
seven regional technology
initiatives to prepare for
development sites (RTDS).
interjurisdictional travel.
Area X.O. includes a drone
• Engaging with stakeholders
testing zone that provides
and the public through a series
over 1,000 acres of private
of discussion papers to better
land to safely pilot drone
understand the key issues and
projects and use cases.
impacts of CV/AV deployment.
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