Building the Right Solution Now

The Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) study team has identified The Windsor-Essex Parkway as the Technically and Environmentally Preferred Alternative for the access road to a new Canadian inspection plaza and international bridge.

Extensive consultation combined with the detailed technical studies and analysis, led to the development of The Windsor-Essex Parkway as the best solution to meet community needs and study goals.

The Windsor-Essex Parkway will be a below-grade six-lane freeway with 11 tunnels and service roads. It allows long-distance international traffic to travel unimpeded by traffic signals to a new inspection plaza and river crossing while improving community linkages and providing extensive new trails, green space and other recreational opportunities. Trucks will be hidden from the view of homeowners, noise levels will be reduced, and overall air quality conditions will improve for Windsor-Essex residents.

The Windsor-Essex Parkway will be the most significant single highway investment made in Ontario history, with an estimated price tag of $1.6 billion (2011 dollars). It is unprecedented in its community enhancement features for any highway, anywhere in Ontario. It will be designed using Ontario’s high safety standards and practices that have made this province’s roads among the safest in North America.

The Windsor-Essex Parkway will improve the quality of life for Windsor-Essex residents.

  • At least 240 acres of parkland
    • This is 10 acres larger than the 230 acre Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve.
    • o The community will have opportunities to help determine the use of this green space.

  • More than 20 km of recreational trails
    • This is 5 km longer than the 15 km E.C. Row Expressway.
    • Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to travel from E.C. Row Expressway to Howard Avenue and never cross paths with a vehicle.

  • 1.8 km of coverage over the roadway on 11 tunnels
    • This is more than three CN Towers stacked on top of each other.
    • These strategically located tunnels and pathways will safely connect communities for the first time.
    • Connections for wildlife will be created.
    • Recreational facilities can be built on these structures, allowing communities on both sides of the roadway to come together for leisure activities.

The Windsor-Essex Parkway will take trucks off local streets.

  • The separation of local and border-bound traffic
    • Trucks will use the new below-grade freeway to access the border, easing congestion on local streets.

  • Local service roads
    • New service roads will improve access to neighbourhoods, schools, natural areas and shopping.

The Windsor-Essex Parkway will improve the movement of traffic to and from the border.

  • No traffic signals
    • Trucks will no longer have to brake, idle or accelerate on their way to the border, thereby reducing diesel emissions and improving community air quality.

  • An end-to-end solution
    • The Windsor-Essex Parkway is a key component of a new border transportation system that will provide a direct route connecting Highway 401 in Windsor to Interstate 75 in Detroit.

The Windsor-Essex Parkway will create approximately 12,000 project-related jobs, with the majority in the Windsor-Essex region. This modern, state-of-the-art facility will support existing industry, attract new investment, bring new jobs and create business opportunities in Windsor-Essex, Ontario and all of Canada.

Prepared by the DRIC study team
May 2008