Sandy Casselman 
Local Journalism Inititative Reporter

EMBRUN – An Environmental Assessment (EA) Study for the 417 Industrial Park has concluded while several others are about to begin for Route 300 intersections.

The EA report for the 417 Industrial Park was released on March 6. The 456-page report is available in its entirety on the township of Russell’s website. Beginning March 19, notices of study commencement and second online public information centres will be available on the same webpage for Route 300 intersections with St-Guillaume Road and Limoges Road. The comment periods for Route 300 intersections with St-Pierre Road, St-Augustin Road, and St-Thomas Road have ended.

In an announcement from BT Engineering Inc.’s Steve Taylor and Russell’s director of infrastructure Francois Landry, project managers for the EA, it is noted that: “Between March 19, 2021 and April 2, 2021, there is an opportunity for interested persons to provide comments. Early identification of individual and group concerns greatly aids in addressing these concerns.” Residents are invited to check out the webpage (russell.ca/town_hall/projects/Environmental_Assessmen) and, if interested, join the study’s mailing list.

As for the 417 Industrial Park report released last week, a Schedule ‘B’ Class EA for the drinking water and sanitary sewer servicing of the park, was prepared by WSP Canada, with four alternatives identified for each. WSP Canada recommended service from the existing Eadie Road feedermain for water servicing, and for wastewater servicing, trunk sewer from Industrial Park to New Castor SPS near the Embrun Reservoir. Both options could be financed by Russell and the City of Ottawa or by Russell alone. The report states that “the City of Ottawa had deferred commitment to servicing the areas within their jurisdiction.”

It was noted that the next step is a detailed design broken down into phases for each alternative. Among other things, the phases will require geotechnical and hydrogeological investigations, a Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment, a potential zoning variance and property/easement acquisition, as well as coordination with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the South Nation Conservation Authority, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

“Currently, council has approved to move forward with design for servicing the 417 Industrial Park,” Russell Mayor Pierre Leroux said. “Once that is complete, we will have a clearer picture as to the financial costs and will be better positioned to initiate discussions with property owners. It will definitely come back to council.”

300 Intersection Improvements project
Project Stage

Environmental Assessment Study and Detailed Design notice.

Notices are issued for upcoming Public Information Centre (PIC) exhibits for the following intersection improvements:

  • Intersection of St-Guillaume Road / Route 300
  • A notice of study commencement and an upcoming PIC exhibit is issued.
  • Intersection of Limoges Road / Route 300
  • A notice of an upcoming second PIC exhibit is issued.
  • Intersection of St-Pierre Road / Route 300
  • No refinements have been made since the first PIC.
  • All comments have been received and the comment period has ended.
  • Intersection of St-Augustin Road / Route 300
  • No refinements have been made since the first PIC.
  • All comments have been received and the comment period has ended.
  • Intersection of St-Thomas Road / Route 300;
  • No refinements have been made since the first PIC.
  • All comments have been received and the comment period has ended.