Rail Trail Connection from Marlatts Road to Welland Canal Trail (Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study)

Study Overview

The City of Thorold has initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) study to determine the preferred connection between the existing Rail Trail and the Welland Canal Trail in the City of Thorold. An image of the study area is provided in the Photos section. The purpose of this Study is to identify and evaluate several alternative trail alignments to determine the preferred trail alignment between the Rail Trail trailhead to the Welland Canal Trail.

The Process

The Study is being carried out as a Schedule ‘B’ project in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Municipal Engineers Association (MEA), October 2000, as amended in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2023, and 2024), which is an approved process under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. The study will complete the first two phases of the MCEA process, which includes public and stakeholder consultation, Indigenous Community engagement, the development and evaluation of alternative solutions primarily based on the City’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) recommendations as well as others, an assessment of the impacts of the proposed works, and identification of measures to mitigate any adverse effects. Upon completion of the Study, a Project File Report (PFR) will be prepared to summarize the Study findings, which will be filed for a 30-day public review period.

Public Engagement

Public consultation is vital to the success of this study. We want to ensure that anyone interested in this study has the opportunity to get involved and provide input and we welcome comments and questions at any time during the study. Public Information Centre One (1) Public Information Centre (PIC) will be held for in the study and has been scheduled to provide an opportunity for agencies, Indigenous Communities and members of the public to present background information on the Study, existing conditions in the study area, the alternative trail alignments considered, the evaluation of alternatives, and the preliminary technically preferred alignment, and to obtain feedback on the Study. Members of the Project Team will be available to answer questions and receive comments. The PIC will be held in-person as a drop-in style open house as follows:

Date: July 15, 2025

Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Location: City of Thorold – City Hall Atrium, 3540 Schmon Parkway, Thorold ON

The presentation materials, including a recorded presentation, will be made available on this project website before the event. Please provide comments on the PIC presentation materials by August 15, 2025. To submit questions and comments or to be added to the study mailing list, please use the contact form below or contact one of the Project Team members listed on this website.