Regional Municipality of Niagara Road Expansion

Authors: 
Matthew Casswell and Nizar Hasan
Case revision date: 
2010-04-16
Length: 
10 pages (Case Study)
Summary: 
The growth of Canada’s suburbs in recent years has turned many 
small, farming communities into large, busy commuter towns, with 
road networks that are quickly becoming inadequate to support the 
growing populations. The town of Grimsby, located at the Western 
boundary of the Niagara Peninsula in Southern Ontario, is no 
exception to this phenomenon. Grimsby’s current road network is 
dominated by the historic former Highway 8, now known as Regional 
Road 81 or Main Street, and the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). As the 
town continues to grow, its existing road infrastructure system is 
quickly becoming unable to handle the amount of traffic being 
applied, making it necessary to construct a new East-West arterial 
roadway through the town. This procedure may be carried out using 
different designs. Each alternative varies in overall social impact on 
the town, monetary cost, and effect on traffic. Furthermore, each 
option creates an environmental effect on soils, wildlife, vegetation, 
and noise impacts on neighbouring communities. The alternatives are 
analyzed to select the optimum solution. 
 
Learning objectives: 
The learning objective for this case study is for students to relate introductory design methods and theory to transportation systems. 
Students will have the opportunity to develop an understanding of the societal and environmental impacts created through construction 
projects
Key words: 
Traffic Analysis; Social and Environmental Impacts of Design
CEAB attributes: 
Modules: 
Module 01 - Case Study
Module 02 – Analysis of Alternatives
Module 03 – Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations
Module TN - Teaching Note

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