Four governments gearing up to solve Windsor-Detroit border congestion

Four levels of government are working together to solve the congestion at the Windsor-Detroit border crossing.

Canada, the U.S., Ontario and Michigan have announced a call for expressions of interest to conduct a study aimed at improving traffic flow at the international corridor, — one of the busiest international crossings in the world.

The study will assess the existing transportation network and long-range transportation plans in southeast Michigan and southwest Ontario.

The planning, need and feasibility study — the first stage in a complex process — is expected to take approximately 24 months to complete.

However, one company claims is has the answer to the congestion issue right now. In unveiling plans for what would be the third link between Canada’s southern most city and the U.S., Mich-Can International Bridge Company says a new four-lane span could be built about five kilometres south of the Ambassador Bridge. The proposed structure would link in with the E.C. Row Expressway at the Ojibway Parkway. Cost would be around US$600 million.

“We believe four to five years would be a reasonable amount of time to put a shovel in the ground,” says Reg Turner, a member of the company’s management team. This estimate would shave several years of government estimates if the work was completed without private involvement.

The plan also calls for an extension of the Lauzon Parkway to join in with Hwy. 401.

Companies interested in participate in the government study are invited to submit expressions of interest outlining their qualifications and specialties. Information is available by May 23 at www.merx.cebra.com.