Gordon Street, Clair Road and Laird Road Municipal Class Environmental Assessment and Infrastructure Preliminary Design Study

Project overview

Guelph is one of the fastest growing communities in Canada. To support this growth, we need to build more homes and more essential infrastructure to support new neighbourhoods. As part of this project, we’re studying how to design the roads people will rely on as part of their everyday lives. This includes widening several arterial roads from two to four lanes.

Based on recommendations in the Clair Maltby Master Environmental Servicing Plan (MESP) and the Transportation Master Plan (TMP), this project includes a Schedule C Class Environmental Assessment for the study area of Gordon Street, from Clair Road to Maltby Road; Clair Road, from Victoria Road to Laird Road; and, Laird Road, from Clair Road to Highway 6. The study will follow the processes outlined in the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) document, last updated in 2024.

In addition to the MCEA,  the City will begin preliminary design of several key pieces of underground infrastructure, such as sanitary sewers and watermains, identified in the Clair Maltby Master Environmental Servicing Plan (MESP), and also in the Water and Water Servicing Master Plan.

The study is an important next step in meeting the City’s housing targets and enabling the vision set out in the Clair Maltby Secondary Plan – Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 79.

The study areas are outlined in Figure 1 below:

The process

This project is being completed as a Schedule “C” project in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (October 2000, amended in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2023 and 2024).

In developing recommendations, the study will consider technical, economic, cultural heritage, social and natural environmental factors.

Project background

In 2024, the City completed the Clair Maltby Master Environmental Servicing Plan (MESP). It summarized the engineering and technical requirements for the Clair Maltby Secondary Plan (OPA 79). The MESP was completed as a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, to a Schedule B level of study. The MESP identified several existing arterial roads that  require updates to support the anticipated growth in in the Secondary Plan Area:

• Gordon Street from Clair Road to Maltby Road – Widen from 2 lanes to 4 lanes
• Clair Road from Beaver Meadows to Victoria – Widen from 2 lanes to 4 lanes

In 2022, the City completed the Transportation Master Plan (TMP), which was also completed as a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, to a Schedule B level of study. The Capital Implementation Plan for the TMP outlined the following projects:

• Gordon Street from Clair Road to Maltby Road – Widen from 2 lanes to 4 lanes
• Clair Road from Beaver Meadows to Victoria – Widen from 2 lanes to 4 lanes
• Laird Road from Clair Road to Highway 6 Overpass – Widen from 2 lanes to 4 lanes

Other improvements within these corridors, from both the MESP and the TMP, include adding all ages and abilities cycling facilities, sidewalk improvements, and protecting for future road and intersection improvements to deliver transit priority measures.

The City will follow the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process for this project,  and complete a Schedule C  study. This project will build on the already-completed Schedule B study reports, and complete the next phases of the MCEA process.

The MESP also highlights the need for a new sanitary trunk sewer and transmission watermain in the study area. The Environmental Assessment requirements for these types of assets have been met through the Clair Maltby Master Environmental Servicing Plan (MESP), therefore these are not included within the MCEA study area. However, the City will also complete the preliminary design for the pipes underneath the road at the same time we’re studying adding more lanes. This ensures a comprehensive design.

How can I get involved?

There will be opportunities for public input and engagement on this project. Stay tuned for how and when you can get involved, including Public Open House details.

Resources and documents

Documents for this project will be added here as they become available.

• Clair Maltby Secondary Plan documents
• Transportation Master Plan documents
• Water and Wastewater Servicing Master Plan documents

For more information

Please contact one of our project team members if you have questions or comments, or would like to be added to the project mailing list.