Notice of study commencement and Public Information Centre #1 for Smithville downtown bypass in West Lincoln

Schedule ‘C’ Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for Smithville Downtown Bypass (Highway 20 / Regional Road 20) in the Township of West Lincoln

Niagara Region, through their consultant WSP Canada Inc., has initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study to examine a potential Highway 20 (Regional Road 20) bypass around downtown Smithville in the Township of West Lincoln. The study area surrounds downtown Smithville.

The study will build on the recommendations from Niagara Region’s 2017 Transportation Master Plan and the Township of West Lincoln’s Smithville Master Community Plan, which recommended that the Region and Township:

• Explore the routing of a bypass either on the north side or south side of downtown Smithville
• Conduct a subarea analysis to understand local traffic impacts
• Identify required infrastructure and operational improvements

The main objective of the study is to identify and evaluate alignment options for a Highway 20 / Regional Road 20 bypass around downtown Smithville. In addition, a critical goal of the project is to improve safety for both pedestrians and drivers.

Study process

Niagara Region has planned this project according to Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act, under Schedule ‘C’ of the Municipal Engineer’s Association’s Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (2023). The study will address Phases 1 to 4 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process requirements.

The project team will examine a full range of alternatives and identify a preferred strategy for addressing the project needs. When the study is complete, an Environmental Study Report will be prepared to document the project planning and decision-making, which will be made available for a 30-day public review period. A Notice of Completion will be issued at that stage.

You are invited to participate

Consultation with the public, Indigenous Communities, regulatory agencies and other interested parties is important to the success of the study.

To facilitate this, three Public Information Centres are planned to gather input on potential alternative solutions and designs, and to discuss concerns and issues with the project team.

The first scheduled Public Information Centre is:

• Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026
  
• 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
  
• West Lincoln Community Centre, Community Rooms #2 and #3, 177 West St., Smithville

Public Information Centre #1 will be held in in-person and will provide information about Phase 1 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process, including displays with background information on the study, project timelines and existing conditions.

Feedback from the public on travel preferences, patterns and accessibility across Smithville will also be collected to identify problems or opportunities.

There will be a presentation at 5:30 p.m., but those interested may drop in anytime from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Materials will also be available on the Highway 20 (Regional Road 20) Smithville Downtown Bypass Environmental Assessment project page.

If you need any accommodations for a disability to attend and participate in meetings or events, please let us know in advance so that arrangements can be made in a timely manner. Please contact the Accessibility Advisory Coordinator at 905-980-6000 ext. 3252 or accessibility@niagararegion.ca.

All personal information included in your request such as name, address, telephone number and property location are collected under the authority of section 30 of the Environmental Assessment Act and is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public. Any personal information submitted will be collected, used, and disclosed, where applicable, by members of Regional staff according to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Any information you share will only be used for the intended purpose for which it was provided. For questions or comments about privacy practices, or for more information about the administration of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act in Niagara Region programs see: niagararegion.ca/government/foi.​