PEARL and POULETTE. well, sort of Poulette...

The Environmental Assessment for three (3) pedestrian crossings of the CP Rail corridor at Poulette Street, Pearl Street and Ray Street has now been completed.

The study assessed the need for the three bridges, the structural condition of the Pearl Street Bridge, and identified the heritage attributes of the Pearl Street Bridge that should be retained during any reconstruction, rehabilitation and/or alteration of the bridge.

The following conclusions were made:

• a rail corridor crossing at Pearl Street should be retained, but the existing bridge should be replaced for safety reasons
• the Pearl Street Bridge replacement can likely be completed with minimal net environmental impacts

In addition, Council endorsed the construction of an additional pedestrian crossing at Poulette Street, should alternate funding become available.

The 30-day public review period will extend from Friday April 17, 2009 to Tuesday May 19, 2009. The project plans and other information are available at the studies website www.hamilton.ca/ppr_bridges_master_plan as well as in a Project File Report at the following

locations:

· Locke Street Library, 285 Locke Street South, tel. 905-546-3492

· Central Public Library, 55 York Blvd, tel. 905-546-3200

· Office of the City Clerk, 77 James Street North, Suite 220, tel. 905-546-2489

· Public Works Department, 77 James Street North, Suite 320, 905-546-2489

If after reviewing the report you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

Justin Readman, B.Sc. (Env.)

Project Manager – Environmental Planning

Capital Planning and Implementation Division

Public Works Department, City of Hamilton

77 James Street North, Suite 320

Hamilton, ON L8R2K3

Tel: 905-546-2424 Ext. 2218

Fax: 905-546-4435

Email: eplanning@hamilton.ca

If concerns arise regarding this project, which cannot be resolved in discussion with the City, a person or party may request that the Minister of the Environment make an order for the project to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act (referred to as a Part II order), which addresses individual environmental assessments. Requests must be received by the Minister of the Environment (address provided below) within the 30-day public review period. A copy of the request must also be sent to the City of Hamilton to the attention of Justin Readman (address provided above).

Minister of the Environment

135 St. Clair Avenue West, 12th floor

Toronto Ontario

M4V 1P5