Heritage Impact Assessment
The existing Highway 6 Little Current Swing Bridge is the oldest and longest known example of a swing bridge within the province and has been identified by MTO as a Provincial Heritage Property of Provincial Significance (PHPPS) under section 25.2 of the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA). MTO must comply with the 2010 Standards and Guidelines for Conservation of Provincial Heritage Properties, (Standards and Guidelines) pursuant to Part III.1, section 25.2, of the OHA. MTO must also adhere to the MTO’s Ontario Heritage Bridge Guidelines (Interim 2008) (OHBG).
MTO’s OHBG sets out eight conservation options that must be considered for its bridges. Under the Standards and Guidelines, removal or demolition of all or part of a provincial heritage property should be considered as a last resort, having considered all other alternatives, subject to Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) and community engagement. The Standards and Guidelines also requires the consent of the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries be obtained prior to the demolition or removal of any building or structure located on a PHPPS.
The Recommended Plan for this Class Environmental Assessment (EA) study includes the removal of the existing Highway 6 Little Current Swing Bridge, following construction of the new bridge. In accordance with provincial requirements MTO has prepared a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), a study that documents how the conservation options were considered, identifies the impacts associated with the removal of the bridge, and recommends options and mitigation measures to reduce negative impacts and conserve cultural heritage value or interest. The HIA will also support MTO’s Request for the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries’ consent and will guide next steps and the future of the existing bridge
At this time, MTO is requesting your input regarding the findings and recommendations documented in the HIA. An electronic copy of the HIA report is available for review upon request for a 30-day review period until February 7, 2022. Should you wish to review the HIA report, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned via email at [email protected]. It would be greatly appreciated if you could kindly provide any comments and/or feedback you may have to the undersigned by Monday, February 7, 2022.
