The Windsor-Essex Parkway
The Windsor-Essex Parkway is the result of community consultation and extensive technical studies. It is the right solution that best balances impacts with benefits. It addresses transportation concerns and community concerns.
The Windsor-Essex Parkway will be the most significant single highway investment made in Ontario history. This project will lead to an estimated 12,000 project-related jobs in Ontario, with the majority in the Windsor-Essex region. This modern, state-of-the-art Parkway will support existing industry, attract new investment and create business opportunities in Windsor-Essex, Ontario and all of Canada. Traffic, trade, goods and people will flow safely and smoothly across this international corridor, sending a clear message that Windsor-Essex is open for business.
The Ministry of Transportation will work with Infrastructure Ontario in the procurement and associated financing in the delivery of The Windsor-Essex Parkway utilizing an alternative financing and procurement delivery method (AFP).
Initial Construction
As a component of The Windsor-Essex Parkway, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is proceeding with the construction of two bridges and a noise barrier.
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Technical Studies
Exhaustive technical studies based on seven important evaluation factors – changes to air quality, protection of community and neighbourhood features, consistency with existing and planned land use, protection of cultural resources, protection of the natural environment, improvements to regional mobility, and cost and constructability – have helped the study team identify a long-term solution to traffic congestion and meet future transportation needs.
Community Input
The DRIC study team has engaged local residents and business owners, elected officials and stakeholders in over 300 community consultation events. As a result of these sessions, the study team has heard that residents want improved quality of life, improved movement of traffic and trucks off local streets. The study team also heard your concerns regarding noise, visual design and air quality. In the next phase of design and upcoming construction of the Parkway the community will continue to have opportunities to provide input.
Private Sector Delivery
MTO is working in coordination with Infrastructure Ontario to deliver The Windsor-Essex Parkway utilizing an Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model, in which the private sector's expertise and innovation will be used to design, build, finance and maintain The Windsor-Essex Parkway.
Local Sourcing
The Windsor-Essex Parkway represents a significant economic opportunity for local workers, suppliers, and contractors. Local workers are expected to have a significant role to play through various stages of construction. It has been Ontario's experience that local sourcing happens naturally, and this project is expected to create thousands of project-related jobs, with the majority in the Windsor-Essex region. MTO and Infrastructure Ontario are working with the local construction industry to foster opportunities for local participation.
