Notice of Intent – Spring Creek Triple Box Culvert Relief Pipe

Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination

May 6, 2026 – The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) must determine whether the proposed Spring Creek Triple Box Culvert Relief Pipe Project located at Toronto Pearson International Airport is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, the GTAA is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by June 6, 2026 to:

Greater Toronto Airports Authority

3111 Convair Drive; Toronto AMF, ON; L5P 1B2

Email address: environment@gtaa.com

 

Proposed Project: Spring Creek Triple Box Culvert Relief Pipe

As part of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority's (GTAA's) Toronto Pearson Airport Longterm Investment in Facilities & Terminals (LIFT) Program, a relief pipe is proposed at the Spring Creek Triple Box Culvert to ensure the continuous operation of Airport Operation and aircraft movement.

Spring Creek is a watercourse that enters the airport from the north under Derry Road and crosses under the runway and taxiways via an existing triple box culvert. Construction of a secondary culvert system approximately 590 metres long, running adjacent to the existing triple box culvert, will increase stormwater capacity and reduce flood risk for the runway and taxiways.  Installation includes twin 3-metre internal diameter concrete pipes using a tunnel boring machine, with launch and retrieval shafts for tunnelling operations and associated infrastructure, including access roads and construction laydown. This work is away from any connection to Spring Creek. Construction of a new overflow channel connecting existing Spring Creek to the Relief Culvert inlet structure will include modification of the existing outlet structure to integrate the relief culvert. In sections where in-water works are required, cofferdams will be installed to allow for construction to occur in the dry.

The culvert design and construction will mitigate and minimalize environmental impact on the Spring Creek watercourse, minimize disruption of the creek bed and banks, and protect aquatic life.

Sustainability best practices will be integrated into both the design and construction phases, aligning with the broader Long-Term Investment in Facilities and Terminals (LIFT) Program at Toronto Pearson Airport.