DRIC Study Team Files Ontario Environmental Assessment Report

News Release

Windsor — More than 12,000 jobs could be created in the Windsor area if an Environmental Assessment Report (EA Report) filed with the Ontario Minister of the Environment December 31 receives approval this year.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and Transport Canada (TC)-led Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) study team is recommending a new end-to-end border transportation system for the Windsor-Detroit Gateway. The recommended plan responds to the urgent need to address border congestion, promote investment, retain existing jobs and bring new jobs to the region. About 12,000 jobs would be created with the construction of The Windsor-Essex Parkway. Additional jobs would be created with the bridge and plaza construction. Subject to the approval of this Environmental Assessment Report, construction of The Windsor-Essex Parkway could begin as early as the fall of this year.

“Over the past three years, many citizens and stakeholder groups have contributed their time and energy to the development of this plan by participating in public consultations,” said Dave Wake, the DRIC study team lead in Canada. “The DRIC study team once again thanks the community for this participation.” Most recently, community residents attended the seventh round of public information open houses for the DRIC Environmental Assessment study on November 24 and 25, 2008. In addition, members of the public and stakeholders provided feedback on a draft of the DRIC Environmental Assessment Report.

The DRIC studies in Canada and the United States were coordinated to allow for the development of an end-to-end border transportation system. The Governments of Canada, the U.S., Ontario and Michigan are committed to an efficient and secure Windsor-Detroit Trade Corridor. The development of additional border capacity is a national priority in both countries to support trade between Canada and the U.S.

Initiated in 2005 by the Canada-U.S.-Ontario-Michigan Border Transportation Partnership, the DRIC study involved extensive technical studies and public consultations. The DRIC study team participated in more than 300 meetings with stakeholders and citizens, including school, community and advisory groups. These consultations included seven rounds of public information open houses, and helped to shape the recommended plan. The DRIC study team identified The Windsor-Essex Parkway, along with a new customs plaza and international bridge in the Brighton Beach industrial area of West Windsor as the recommended plan.

As required under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, the Environmental Assessment will be available for public review and comment from Friday, January 9, 2009 to Friday, February 27, 2009. Comments must be submitted in writing and/or by fax to the Ministry of the Environment by Friday, February 27, 2009.

A backgrounder on the recommended plan, as well as the environmental assessment process is attached.

For more information on DRIC, visit www.partnershipborderstudy.com.

This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.

Media Contacts

Mark Butler
Windsor Gateway Project
Transport Canada, Windsor
519-967-4280

Pat Smith
Windsor Border Initiatives Implementation Group
Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Windsor
519-973-7359

↓ Download the PDF version of this document — 664 KB