GC No. 004/05
For release April 21, 2005

CANADA AND ONTARIO ANNOUNCE MAJOR STEPS 
TO IMPROVE THE WINDSOR-DETROIT GATEWAY

WINDSOR, April 21, 2005 – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Anne McLellan, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Federal Minister of Transport Jean-C. Lapierre and Ontario Minister of Transportation Harinder Takhar were in Windsor today to announce major steps to improve the movement of goods and people at the Windsor-Detroit Gateway, under Phase 2 of the Let’s Get Windsor-Essex Moving Strategy. 

Using the Schwartz Report as a foundation, the Governments of Ontario and Canada will provide funding to launch the next steps required for implementation of key initiatives recommended in the report. The two governments are committed to moving forward as expediently as possible while safeguarding the economic, environmental and personal health of area residents.

Specifically, the Governments of Canada and Ontario are committed to providing the necessary resources for preparatory work required to proceed with construction of the following new initiatives. These joint commitments, which total up to $21 million, involve completing:

• Environmental assessment and detailed design for improvements to Highway 3/Talbot Road from Highway 401 to Todd Lane;
• Environmental assessment and detailed design to upgrade and extend Lauzon Parkway, from Highway 401 to E.C. Row;
• Environmental assessment and detailed design to upgrade Manning Road from Highway 401 to County Road 22, including the interchange at Highway 401, in the County of Essex;
• Road infrastructure and signing improvements and, in partnership with the ferry operator, a needs and feasibility study for additional truck ferry services;
• Canada and Ontario will issue an expression of interest, followed by a request for proposals, to select a partner(s) to develop a truck marshalling facility in the Windsor-Essex region; and,
• Community-based strategic rail study to examine the opportunities for rail rationalization and the development of an intermodal facility in the vicinity of Windsor Airport, in partnership with the City of Windsor.

“The Government of Canada recognizes that the safe, secure and efficient movement of people and goods is critical to the economic security and the quality of life of Canadians,” said Ms. McLellan. “We are committed to working with our partners to make sure that solutions addressing this important border crossing are implemented quickly, efficiently and effectively.”

“Our economy depends on the fast and efficient movement of goods, especially at the Windsor-Detroit Gateway,” said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. “We are proceeding with these investments to improve road safety, speed up the flow of cross-border traffic, and improve the trade corridor that is so vital to keep our economy moving.” 

“The Windsor-Detroit Gateway is a vital transportation artery between Canada and the United States and an essential link for the economic prosperity of the City of Windsor, Essex County, Ontario and Canada,” said Mr. Lapierre. “Environmental assessments and detailed designs are essential steps to move forward with the implementation of these key transportation projects that will advance our prosperity and security objectives.” 

“About $140 billion a year in imports and exports cross this border,” said Ontario Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar. “The Windsor Gateway is key to making Ontario the North American leader in economic growth. That's why we’re ready to start on the next projects that will give us the best possible solutions to easing border congestion.” 

In addition, the Governments of Canada and Ontario are committing total funding of up to $108 million to proceed with detailed design and construction of the following initiatives:

• Widening of Highway 401 from Highway 3 to Manning Road;
• Highway 3 intersection improvements at Outer Drive and Walker Road; and
• Howard Avenue rail/road grade separation upon successful completion of the environmental assessment currently underway as part of Phase 1 of the Let’s Get Windsor-Essex Moving Strategy.

Canada and Ontario are also moving ahead with the implementation of intelligent transportation systems on the approaches to the border crossings, at the borders themselves and along transportation corridors. As part of the Phase 1 agreement, an Action Plan for Intelligent Border Crossing is being prepared and “early-win” projects that will be implemented include:

• Changeable message signs at Highway 401/402 to inform travelers of border traffic conditions at key decision points; and
• Closed circuit cameras on provincial highways and municipal roads to monitor traffic.

All of these initiatives represent an important step forward for the Governments of Canada and Ontario in fulfilling their commitment to the residents of Windsor and Essex County and supporting the efficient flow of people and goods across this critical trade link.

Funding for the Let’s Get Windsor-Essex Moving Strategy comes from the Canada-Ontario Border Infrastructure Fund, a joint commitment by the federal and provincial governments to invest $300 million for the implementation of short- and medium-term projects to improve traffic flows to existing crossings and address congestion and security issues at the Windsor-Detroit Gateway. All projects are subject to the relevant requirements under the federal and provincial legislation, including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

Backgrounders providing further information about the Windsor-Detroit Gateway and the initiatives announced today are attached.

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BACKGROUNDER

WINDSOR-DETROIT GATEWAY

The Windsor-Detroit Gateway is a vital transportation artery between Canada and the United States. This border crossing is the busiest international trade corridor in North America and is Canada’s largest border crossing. Over 16 million cars and trucks cross the Windsor-Detroit Gateway every year and in 2003, approximately $140 billion worth of goods passed through the Gateway.

The Windsor-Detroit Gateway includes the following border crossings:

• Ambassador Bridge
• Detroit-Windsor Tunnel
• Canadian Pacific Railway rail tunnel
• Detroit-Windsor truck ferry

The Canadian and U.S. governments are committed to an efficient and secure Windsor-Detroit Gateway. The development of additional border capacity is a national priority in both countries to support the dynamic just-in-time economy in Canada and the United States.

Bi-National Partnership

The Governments of Canada, the United States, Ontario and Michigan are moving forward in a Bi-National Partnership to implement a 30-year transportation strategy addressing the various challenges at the Windsor-Detroit Gateway, including free and secure trade, security, environmental concerns and community impacts.

The Bi-National Partnership is currently undertaking the next phase in the process, which is the coordinated bi-national environmental assessment. This assessment will allow the governments to decide on the location of a new or expanded international crossing, taking into account the impact on the environment and local communities.

The environmental assessment work will be completed by the end of 2007, at which time the Bi-National Partnership will have developed, consulted on and carried out preliminary design of a recommended plan for additional border capacity. Detailed design, property acquisition, and construction would follow, leading to the opening of additional crossing capacity in 2013, about the same time as the Ambassador Bridge is projected to reach capacity.

A number of proposals for new or expanded border crossings have already been put forward. These proposals will provide valuable input to the process, as will the Schwartz Report that was recently made public by the City of Windsor. The Partnership will consider all of these proposals, together with other suggestions that may be identified by stakeholders.

Short- and Medium-Term Solutions

Recognizing that a long-term solution will take time, federal, provincial/state and local governments are also implementing short- and medium-term measures to relieve border congestion and improve traffic flows to existing crossings.

On March 11, 2004, the Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Windsor signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Let’s Get Windsor-Essex Moving Strategy. Funding for this strategy comes from the Canada-Ontario Border Infrastructure Fund, a joint commitment by the federal and provincial governments to invest $300 million for the implementation of short- and medium-term projects to improve traffic flows to existing crossings and address congestion and security issues at the Windsor-Detroit Gateway. Five projects, announced as Phase 1 of the Strategy and totalling $82.25 million, are underway including improvements to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Plaza, a pedestrian overpass, road-rail grade separations and associated environmental assessments, road improvements to facilitate access to a pre-processing facility and implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems to improve traffic management, control and driver information.

The Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the City of Windsor, and Essex County will continue to work together to ensure the expedient implementation of initiatives under the Strategy to improve the efficiency of the Windsor-Detroit Gateway, in a manner that is consistent with the long-term planning already underway under the Bi-National Partnership.

The Governments of Canada and the United States remain committed to providing sufficient resources to keep our border functioning efficiently. Recent measures, such as the opening of four new U.S.-bound commercial customs inspection booths on the Ambassador Bridge in June 2004, have reduced congestion along Huron Church Road in Windsor. Both countries are also committed to implementing harmonized border facilitation initiatives such as Free and Secure Trade (FAST), which gives advance notification of commercial shipments to expedite the secure flow of goods and NEXUS which simplifies crossing for low risk automobile travellers. The two federal governments, in partnership with other levels of government and private-sector partners have committed to reducing transit times across the border by 25 per cent, over the next year.

For more information about the Bi-National Partnership and initiatives currently underway to improve traffic flows and reduce congestion at the Windsor-Detroit Gateway, please visit www.partnershipborderstudy.com.

April 2005

BACKGROUNDER

CANADA AND ONTARIO 
IMPROVING THE WINDSOR GATEWAY

BORDER IMPLEMENTATION GROUP

On April 19^th, 2005, in a speech in Washington D.C., Premier Dalton McGuinty announced his intention to create a new Border Implementation Group to oversee the important upcoming phase of border improvements. The chair of this blue ribbon task force will be appointed shortly and will report directly to the Premier.

IMPROVING THE WINDSOR GATEWAY

Today’s announcement provides $129 million to improve the Windsor-Detroit Gateway. This funding will launch several new initiatives recommended in the Schwartz Report.

What’s new in this announcement for $21 million?

A commitment of up to $21 million in funding for the following new initiatives:

• Environmental assessment and detailed design work can begin this year for:
• improvements to Highway 3/Talbot Road from Highway 401 to Todd Lane;
• additional through lanes and/or auxiliary lanes and intersection improvements to increase traffic flow
• improve primary access to the Ambassador Bridge border crossing and overall performance for international and local traffic
• upgrade and extension of Lauzon Parkway, from Highway 401 to E.C. Row;
• proposed new freeway or arterial road (4-6 lanes) with construction of new interchanges at Highway 401, E.C. Row and construction of new interchange or intersection at Division Road
• improve access to existing and future border-related industrial areas.
• could provide direct access to Highway 401 as well as an efficient alternative route for international truck traffic to access E.C. Row and the border crossing during future construction
• upgrade Manning Road from Highway 401 to County Road 22, including the interchange at Highway 401, in the County of Essex;
• turn two lanes into four and upgrade intersections
• ease traffic congestion for international traffic and for local commuters
• better access improves potential for more border-related industry and jobs
• Needs and feasibility study can be prepared for additional truck ferry services by;
• Working with the ferry operator to identify potential market increase, barriers to realizing such market increases, and actions by governments and private sector that could be undertaken to eliminate those barriers. Additional infrastructure to attract and meet the needs related to increased traffic:
• Ferry Access road and intersection improvements from the ferry terminal to Ojibway Parkway
• Improved signage from Highway 401 to the terminal
• Expression of interest followed by a request for proposals can begin for a truck marshalling facility on Highway 401 in the Windsor-Essex Region;
• Will identify need and potential uses for a marshalling yard; legislative changes to be considered to support its operation and potential site locations
• Stakeholder consultations will include truckers and private sector proponents of similar facilities in Windsor area
• Windsor Community Rail Study:
• In partnership with the City of Windsor, railway companies and other stakeholders, will identify opportunities and feasibility for rail rationalization within and approaching Windsor, including the development of an intermodal facility in the vicinity of Windsor Airport and the redevelopment of rail corridors and yards

What will Windsor and Essex see as a result of the new commitment of $108 million?

Projects for which environmental assessments have been completed now have up to $108 million in funding to proceed with the following:

• Design and construction for widening of Highway 401 from Highway 3 to Manning Road;
• Will mean fewer collisions, increase through-put capacity, increase storage capacity for border crossing incidents, fewer delays and better access to surrounding area
• Detail design will be initiated, and construction is planned for 2008, with completion in 2010
• Construction of Highway 3 intersection improvements at Outer Drive and Walker Road
• New traffic signals, new turning lanes, longer turning lanes
• The Outer Drive intersection has a collision rate twice the provincial average
• Improvements will reduce delays for vehicles heading into the industrial area north of Highway 3
• Will be completed this year
• Design and construction for Howard Avenue rail/road grade separation
• Environmental assessment work will be complete this year
• Pending the results of the environmental assessment, the funds are now in place for improvements that will mean fewer traffic jams and faster railway times. Detailed design could start in 2006 and be completed late 2007. Construction of the grade separation could start in late 2007 and be completed in late 2009.

Phase 1 of the Let’s Get Windsor-Essex Moving Strategy – a progress report

Six projects were identified under Phase 1 of the Let’s Get Windsor-Essex Moving Strategy to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety for residents of Windsor. Of these six, 4 are underway in the design or construction phase.

• A pedestrian bridge on Huron Church Road at Girardot Street near Assumption High School will be ready for use by this September for the coming school year – to increase safety for students and area residents.
• Intersection improvements at Huron Church Road and Industrial Drive will be completed this summer. These improvements will triple the number of trucks that can safely access the pre-processing facility on Industrial Drive. The left turning lane on Huron Church Road will be lengthened to reduce traffic jams at secondary inspection stations, speeding up entrance to the pre-processing facility.
• An environmental study for improvements to Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Canadian Plaza and preparation of a long-term Master Plan to address existing traffic problems and the future needs of traffic crossing the border. The master plan will be ready this year. Environmental assessment work will begin this spring with anticipated completion of construction in 2007-08.
• Construction of the Grand Marais detour will be completed this spring. To reduce disruption to the community when Walker Road-CP Rail Grade Separation construction begins. Every day, 26 long trains cross Walker Road and cause serious traffic jams. When the rail overpass is completed in 2007, vehicles on Walker Road will travel beneath the tracks, and no longer have to stop every time a train passes.
• Environmental assessment work for the Howard Avenue-CP Rail Grade Separation has begun and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
• Intelligent Transportation System projects on transportation corridors, on the approaches to the border crossings and at the border
• The Action Plan for Intelligent Border Crossings will be completed later this year and will provide the basis for moving forward on a number of ITS projects.
• The Action Plan has already identified projects to move forward now to give a clear picture of traffic flow and ease congestion, including:
• more closed-circuit television cameras on more roads leading to the border:
• Hwy 3 / Hwy 401 junction
• 4 locations on Highway 3/Talbot Road and 3 locations at EC Row Expressway -
• Windsor-Detroit tunnel approaches easterly on Hwy 401
• Permanent changeable message sign on Hwy 401 westbound approaching the Hwy 402 Interchange