No. H027/05For release - March 3, 2005
OTTAWA — Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today issued the following statement on behalf of the Government of Canada:
"The Windsor-Detroit Gateway is of vital importance to the economic future of the Windsor region, Southwestern Ontario and the rest of Canada. The Government of Canada remains committed to doing its share to make the Gateway work for all Canadians.
"We are already taking action and providing funding for much needed short-term work to improve traffic flows through this crucial Gateway. We have funds at our disposal through existing programs for further work under the Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving Strategy. And just two weeks ago, in Budget 2005, the Minister of Finance reiterated that infrastructure programs would be renewed and extended as current programs expire.
"As we move forward with improvements to the Windsor-Detroit Gateway, the Government of Canada remains committed to funding 50 per cent of the eligible costs for projects agreed to with the Province of Ontario. However, until proper analysis of longer-term options, project selections and environmental assessments take place, we will not be in a position to put a dollar figure on the full level of funding required.
"The Governments of Canada, the United States, Ontario and Michigan are moving forward, through the Bi-National Partnership, to implement a 30-year, five-phase transportation strategy addressing the various challenges at the Windsor-Detroit Gateway, including free and secure trade, security, environmental concerns and community impacts.
"The Bi-National Partnership is currently engaged in the environmental assessment process, which will lead to new or expanded crossing capacity to meet the long-term needs of the region. This work will be completed by the end of 2007, by which time the partnership will have developed, consulted on and carried out the preliminary design of a recommended plan for additional border capacity. Construction would begin in 2010, leading to the opening of additional crossing capacity in 2013.
"Recognizing that a long-term solution will take time, federal, provincial and local governments are also implementing short- and medium-term measures to relieve border congestion and improve traffic flows to existing crossings.
"On March 11, 2004, the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and the City of Windsor signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving Strategy. This strategy is part of a joint $300-million federal-provincial commitment to upgrade existing infrastructure on the Ontario approaches to the Windsor-Detroit border crossings over the medium term.
"Five initial projects were identified under Phase I of the strategy, including improvements to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Plaza; construction of a pedestrian overpass near the intersection of Huron Church Road and Girardot Street, by Assumption High School; intersection improvements on Huron Church Road; road-rail grade separations; and implementation of intelligent transportation systems, such as changeable message signs, along transportation corridors leading to the border crossings. Work on these projects is progressing.
"As well, in order to develop its position for Phase 2 projects under the agreement with the province and the Government of Canada, the City of Windsor commissioned the Windsor Border Traffic Report, also know as the Schwartz Report, which was released on January 21, 2005.
"As stated at that time, the Government of Canada is very pleased that the City of Windsor commissioned the report. Discussions have resumed between the three levels of government, using the report as a strong foundation to move forward. In addition to identifying potential short- and medium-term proposals to address congestion in Windsor, the Schwartz Report confirms the need for new crossing capacity. The report has been provided to the consultant teams responsible for the environmental assessment processes, and thus will provide valuable input to the work of the Bi-National Partnership.
"The Government of Canada remains committed to achieving an early agreement on additional initiatives, to be pursued under the strategy, that will improve the efficiency of the Windsor-Detroit Gateway in a manner that is consistent with the long-term planning already underway through the Bi-National Partnership.
"Windsor is the most important border crossing in Canada, with over 9,000 trucks and tens of thousands of cars crossing every day. It is important for the residents of Windsor to know that the development of additional border capacity for this region is a national priority for the Government of Canada."
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Contact:
Irène MarcheterreDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
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