Ontario Construction News staff writer
HALTON REGION – HDR has been selected by Halton Region to provide comprehensive engineering services for planned improvements along the Steeles Avenue corridor in the Town of Milton, one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities.
The 1.5-kilometre project aims to enhance public safety and address future travel demand while supporting regional growth.
The project includes two road-under-rail grade separations involving separate Class I railroads, a new rail-over-water bridge, and two road-over-water bridges.
A new greenfield alignment will create a four-lane road adjacent to an environmentally sensitive UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve, and the expanded corridor will cross a large floodplain requiring careful mitigation to protect the surrounding environment.
Halton Region has also launched a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) for the corridor, which evaluates alternative designs, drainage, environmental impacts, and active transportation considerations. Public and agency consultations are planned as part of the assessment process.
HDR will provide engineering services throughout the project lifecycle, including preliminary, detailed, and final design, tender preparation, construction management, and post-construction services. The firm will use in-house capabilities such as project management, roadway and structural engineering, environmental planning, stormwater management, rail engineering, and construction administration.
“The Steeles Avenue improvements highlight our staff’s ability to deliver grade separations of all configurations,” said Cristian Huma, project manager for HDR. “We have experience in the design and construction of over 20 complex grade separations throughout Canada, and the Region will benefit from our depth of experience, unmatched resources, and technical expertise.”
Construction is part of a broader regional transportation planning initiative, which includes related corridor studies for Trafalgar Road and the New North Regional Road to support Milton’s rapid growth and multimodal travel needs.
HDR, a 100-per-cent employee-owned professional services firm, was founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world. Today, the company provides architecture, engineering, environmental, and construction services globally, focusing on collaborative solutions for complex built and natural environment challenges.
