BORDER TRANSPORTATION PARTNERSHIP FOCUSES ON CENTRAL AREA OF ANALYSIS FOR FURTHER STUDY FOR NEW BORDER CROSSING IN DETROIT-WINDSOR

The governments of Canada, the United States, Ontario and Michigan are moving forward through the Border Transportation Partnership, to implement a long-range transportation strategy addressing the various challenges at the Detroit–Windsor Gateway.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is leading the Canadian portion of the Detroit River International Crossing environmental assessment process, which is seeking a long-term solution to the border transportation issues.

The Partnership is considering the entire border transportation system — river crossing, inspection plazas, and connecting roads — to achieve an end-to-end solution that will best meet current and future mobility needs, while minimizing impacts on the surrounding communities and environment to the greatest practical extent. Continued evaluation of the practical alternatives will identify a single preferred alternative by mid-2007. Environmental documentation will be submitted for approval by the end of 2007. Construction is expected to start in 2010, with the goal of opening a new crossing by 2013.

Of the 15 initial river crossings, eight south and east alternatives were eliminated in early October 2005. An additional five alternatives have also been eliminated due to either high negative impacts on communities or because of serious limitations in terms of practicality. More details on the technical data supporting the elimination of these additional options will be presented to the public at the end of November 2005.

In Canada, an area of analysis in the industrial area of West Windsor extending north generally from Broadway Boulevard to the vicinity of Brock Street, is under consideration for a new bridge across the river. This would link to an inspection plaza in a corresponding area in the U.S., extending north from Zug Island to the vicinity of the Ambassador Bridge but excluding twinning the Ambassador Bridge. It is in these two areas where previously-defined plazas, crossings and roadway connectors will be replaced with those to be defined in cooperation with the communities and stakeholders. That analysis will be supported by a host of detailed information on community fabric, engineering and environmental issues.

Canadian approach road to identified area:

• The analysis area, together with the preferred connecting road from Highway 401 in Canada, is shown on the attached map. Options to address local traffic and access to adjacent property would include service roads and alternative interchange configurations.

The Schwartz Report

• The Schwartz Report was taken into consideration during the development and evaluation of the practical alternatives, including the decision to narrow the focus on this particular analysis area.
• The new river crossing proposed by Schwartz, as well as a potential plaza location on the City of Windsor-owned property in the Brighton Beach area, are among the practical alternatives that will be examined in further detail.

Community and environmental impact

The next phase of the study will examine the opportunities and challenges of the various practical alternatives within the identified areas in more detail, as part of the ongoing environmental study process. The technical team will actively engage the community and stakeholders in this process.

November 2006