February 16, 2005

 

The following news release was issued by Transport Canada on 15 February 2005, and is found in its entirety at
http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2005/05-gc003e.htm.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario today launched the Canadian Environmental Assessment (EA) phase of the Detroit River International Crossing project to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow at the Windsor-Detroit border. …

“Moving toward a new or expanded Windsor-Detroit crossing is great news for the community,” said Ontario Minister of Transportation Harinder Takhar. “We are working with our partners to ease congestion and strengthen the economy at Canada’s busiest border crossing.”

The EA phase will include the completion of environmental and technical work to allow the governments to decide on the location of a new or expanded crossing in an environmentally
responsible manner.

Due to the nature of the project, and the complexity of border transportation issues in the Windsor-Detroit area, this work is necessary to meet the legislative and regulatory
requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act and the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act. The Ontario Ministry of
Transportation is leading the Canadian work program in coordination with Transport Canada. The Michigan Department of Transportation, in coordination with the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, is leading the U.S. work program.

During the EA phase, alternative solutions will be studied, with consideration being given to environmental and community effects, and a location for a new or expanded international
crossing will be recommended. This work will be completed by the end of 2007, leading to the opening of additional crossing capacity by 2013.

The public will have the opportunity to participate in the process. The first of five rounds of public meetings is planned for April 2005. In addition, local advisory councils on both sides of the border will provide the public, the private sector and community groups the opportunity to comment throughout the Environmental Assessment phase….

Following a competitive bidding process, URS Canada and the Corradino Group have been selected to lead the Canadian and American work respectively.

The Schwartz Report, recently released by the City of Windsor, will provide valuable input to this process. In addition to identifying potential short- and medium-term proposals to address congestion problems in Windsor, the Schwartz Report confirms the requirement for new crossing capacity….