A new Highway 3 corridor may be in the works to improve connectivity between St. Thomas and Aylmer.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has retained Stantec Consulting Ltd. to undertake a Planning, Preliminary Design, and Class Environmental Assessment.
Stantec made a presentation to Elgin County council on Tuesday morning.
The purpose of the study is to identify transportation improvements to Highway 3, including a new arterial road connecting to the St. Thomas Expressway extension, known as Technology Trail, to improve transportation connections between St. Thomas, including Yarmouth Yards, and communities to the east.
Looking at future operating conditions on Highway. 3, with additional population and employment growth in the study area:
• Highway 3 will be over capacity by 2051
• Centennial Road/Highway 3 intersection will be over capacity in both the morning and afternoon peak periods
• Traffic signals will be required to provide gaps for sideroad traffic to enter or cross Highway 3 (Yarmouth Centre Road and Springwater Road)
• Signalized intersections in Aylmer will be over capacity during peak periods
• Highway 3 traffic will likely shift to other municipal roads
A new corridor (shown in blue on the map) would be routed north of the existing Hwy. 3, with five alternate routes (show in yellow) bypassing the Town of Aylmer.
The first of three public information sessions will be held Aug. 26 , from 4 to 7 p.m. at the East Elgin Community Complex – Blueline Room, 531 Talbot Street West in Aylmer.
Written by Ian McCallum
