No. H195/05
For release - October 14, 2005
SARNIA (Ont.) — Sarnia-Lambton MP Roger Gallaway, on behalf of federal Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, and Sarnia-Lambton MPP Caroline Di Cocco, on behalf of Ontario Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar, today announced an investment of $4 million for cameras and electronic message signs to save drivers time and increase driver safety on the Blue Water Bridge and Highway 402 leading to the United States border. Each government will contribute $2 million toward the project.
"This is great news for users who depend on this vital link between Canada and the United States for trade and travel," said Mr. Gallaway. "Border improvements such as these will help ensure the efficient movement of goods and people."
"The bridge is Ontario's second-busiest border crossing for trucks," said Ms. Di Cocco. "Close to 1.8 million trucks a year use this border crossing, carrying with them $51 billion in goods. Installing intelligent transportation systems like these is part of our action plan to ensure local and provincial prosperity."
"This agreement is an excellent example of the governments of Canada and Ontario working together to improve Ontario's borders," said Mr. Lapierre. "This border improvement project marks an important step in enhancing the efficiency and safety of the crossing."
"Keeping traffic moving safely and smoothly across our international borders is a priority for this government," said Mr. Takhar. "These improvements will keep billions of dollars worth of goods flowing across the busy Blue Water Bridge."
Over five million cars and trucks cross the Blue Water Bridge annually, making it Ontario's fourth busiest border point. A recent Ontario Chamber of Commerce report estimates border delays cost both the United States and Canada over $13 billion Cdn per year. Commercial traffic at the bridge is predicted to more than double over the next 10 years.
To address the increasing traffic volume, technology is now being installed on a 15-km stretch of Highway 402:
Sensors in the pavement will monitor vehicle speeds and, within 30 seconds, send traffic information to queue end warning signs and to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Control Centre. Motorists will know what's ahead and have time to opt for other routes.
Closed circuit television cameras allow Ontario ministry staff to detect incidents and dispatch emergency services sooner. Road emergencies and related traffic congestion are resolved faster.
Federal and provincial governments are working with local authorities to implement intelligent transportation systems to improve the efficiency of transportation networks and keep Ontario's highways the safest in North America*.
"When this system is fully operational, it will enhance safety on Highway 402 and the Bridge Plaza by displaying traffic information on electronic signs to help local motorists make informed decisions about alternate routes, and provide real time traffic information to motorists bound for the bridge," said Dan Elash, Blue Water Bridge Authority President and CEO.
The Government of Canada's funding for this project comes from the $600-million Border Infrastructure Fund, established in the 2001 budget. The fund is designed to contribute to projects that reduce border congestion, improve the flow of goods and services and expand infrastructure over the medium term.
Provincial funding for this project is part of the Ontario government's investment of $1.2 billion in highway infrastructure this year.
*Source: 2003 Ontario Road Safety Annual Report
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Contacts:
Irène MarcheterreDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister ofTransport, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
Aly PecoskieOffice of the Ontario Minister ofTransportation, Toronto(416) 327-2885
Robin BrowneCommunicationsTransport Canada(613) 993-0055
Bob NicholsCommunications BranchOntario Ministry ofTransportation(416) 327-1158
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
BACKGROUNDERCANADA AND ONTARIO USINGTECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE SAFETYAND EFFICIENCY AT BLUE WATER BRIDGE
The governments of Canada and Ontario are working together in the Sarnia area to improve safety and the flow of traffic, goods and people on the Blue Water Bridge and Highway 402. Both governments recognize that traffic delays affect Ontario's economy.
Blue Water Bridge/Highway 402 improvements
Intelligent transportation systems technology is being installed on the bridge and along the 15-kilometre section of Highway 402 leading to the border crossing. The technology for this project includes:
Six electronic queue end warning signs
30 vehicle detector stations
10 closed circuit television cameras.
Sensors will monitor vehicle speeds and, within 30 seconds, automatically update information displayed on queue end warning signs and share this information with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Control Centre. Automated messages will be displayed on electronic signs providing information to motorists on what's ahead and increasing their flexibility to choose an alternate route.
Closed circuit cameras will relay visual images of traffic conditions to the Ministry of Transportation's London communications centre, allowing staff to verify the information provided by the detection loops. When fully operational in the spring of 2006, the system will mean:
Engineering, police and fire departments will have faster and more detailed information about traffic conditions and emergencies.
Drivers will have timely warning of traffic queues ahead.
Previous road improvements and better safety practices are responsible for a significant decrease in the number of border traffic collisions on or near the bridge. Between January and July 2004, there were 26 collisions involving vehicles in slow or stalled traffic. In the same seven-month period in 2005 there were no similar collisions.
While three closed circuit cameras, installed on the bridge and highway in 2003, contributed to the dramatic decline in border traffic collisions, this announcement reflects the first fully automated approach to increasing safety and convenience for drivers.
Did You Know?
The Blue Water Bridge is the fourth busiest Ontario border crossing and the second busiest commercial traffic border crossing in Ontario.
In 2003, 3.7 million cars and 1.8 million trucks crossed the bridge.
On a busy day, trucks are 30 per cent of traffic on the bridge.
Highway 402 carries between 15,000 and 25,000 vehicles per day.
The Blue Water Bridge Authority owns and operates the Canadian half of the Blue Water Bridge.
The U.S. half of the bridge is owned by the State of Michigan and operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Sarnia Area Projects Underway
The reconstruction of a 20-km stretch of Highway 402
Operational improvements on a 9-km stretch of Highway 402
Realignment of several local roads in the vicinity of the bridge to improve security
Widening of Highway 402 near the bridge
Improvements to the Highway 401/402 split near London
All projects funded under the Border Infrastructure Fund are subject to approval under federal and provincial legislation, including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.
Contacts:
Irène MarcheterreDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister ofTransport, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
Aly PecoskieOffice of the Ontario Minister ofTransportation, Toronto(416) 327-2885
Robin BrowneCommunicationsTransport Canada(613) 993-0055
Bob NicholsCommunications BranchOntario Ministry ofTransportation(416) 327-1158
October 2005
BACKGROUNDERBORDER INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
In budget 2001, the Government of Canada announced its intention to provide $600 million to support improved efficiency at Canada's borders. The Border Infrastructure Fund, which is managed by Infrastructure Canada, is a comprehensive approach towards sustaining and increasing the long-term safety and efficiency of the Canada-U.S. border. It encompasses physical infrastructure, intelligent transportation systems, and helps support analytical capacity which will provide decision makers with better information on border issues as they pertain to congestion.
In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, the Government of Canada renewed its commitment to public and economic security by signing a declaration for the creation of a Smart Border for the 21st century between the United States and Canada. The Smart Border Action Plan is supported by four pillars: secure flow of people, secure flow of goods, secure infrastructure, and coordination and information sharing in the enforcement of these objectives.
The Border Infrastructure Fund is being implemented in co-operation with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, academic and research institutes, and with partners from the public and private sectors on both sides of the border to form an integral component of the Smart Border Action Plan.
The two central objectives of the Border Infrastructure Fund are to support the Smart Border Action Plan by reducing border congestion and to expand existing infrastructure capacity over the medium term to support ongoing economic growth.
The Government of Canada's share in the Border Infrastructure Fund is $300 million. Funding is largely targeted towards major crossings, such as Windsor, Sarnia, Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, all in Ontario; and Douglas, British Columbia.
All projects are selected under the authority of the Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities) based on the following investment criteria:
mitigation of congestion;
enhancement of system capacity;
coordination with adjacent U.S. border facility and road access network;
support of implementation of the Smart Border Action Plan;
enhancement of safety and security at border crossings; and
financial participation of other public and private sector partners.
In budget 2005, the Government of Canada committed to the renewal of infrastructure funds, including the Border Infrastructure Fund.
October 2005
