The Study
The purpose of this study is to improve capacity and operations at the Canadian Plaza of the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel, and to address existing traffic concerns and future needs of border-crossing traffic in the Windsor-Detroit corridor. The study has identified that improvements to the existing plaza will require expansion of the plaza. This project is part of the Let’s Get Windsor-Essex Moving strategy, a joint commitment by the federal and provincial governments to invest $300 million at the Windsor Gateway. Funding for these improvements will be jointly shared by the governments of Canada, Ontario and the City of Windsor.

McCormick Rankin Corporation is working with the Windsor Tunnel Commission, Detroit and Canada Tunnel Corporation, City of Windsor, Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Transport Canada to complete an Environmental Assessment and Master Plan which will detail short- and long-term improvements to the Canadian Plaza of the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel. The Study Area is shown below.

View the Windsor Tunnel Study Area (pdf document - opens in new window)

The Process
A review of the proposed plaza improvements under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act will be undertaken. In addition, all proposed roadway improvements are subject to the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act and will be planned in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment. At the end of the Study, an Environmental Study Report will be prepared for public review and comment.

Public Information Centres
Public consultation is an integral part of the environmental assessment process. We want to ensure that anyone with an interest in this Study has the opportunity to provide input before any decisions are made on the preferred solution.

The first Public Information Centre (PIC) was held on February 23, 2006, to provide background information on the study and to present the preliminary improvement alternatives. Following further input from the public and stakeholders, the study team has analyzed and evaluated the short-list plaza improvement alternatives and has selected the technically preferred alternatives. This information will be presented at the second PIC, which will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2006. The final PIC will take place in the fall of 2006. Representatives from the City, the Province, and the consultants will be available at the PICs to answer questions and discuss the next steps in this study.

Comments
Information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

For further information, or to be added to the mailing list for this study, please contact:

View the Public Information Centre #1 Display Boards (pdf format 2.12Mb)
View the Public Information Centre #2 Notice (English Version) (pdf format 94Kb)
View the Public Information Centre #2 Notice(French Version) (pdf format 96Kb)
View the Public Information Centre #2 Display Boards (pdf format 2.12Mb)

Keeping Track of the Project

Information on this and other Let’s Get Windsor-Essex Moving projects can also be found on the Ministry of Transportation website at www.mto.gov.on.ca.