No. H250/05
For release November 23, 2005
Highway 401 Improvements To Benefit Travellers And Ontario's Economy
WINDSOR - Jerry Pickard MP (Chatham-Kent-Essex), on behalf of federal
Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, and Bruce Crozier MPP (Essex), on behalf of
Ontario Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar, today announced the completion
of the first phase of Highway 401 widening in Essex County.
"Highway infrastructure is critical to Canada's ability to safely and
efficiently transport people and goods and to compete in the North American
economy," said Mr. Pickard. "The people of Essex will greatly benefit from the
improved safety and traffic flow on this important stretch of highway."
"Every day more than 24,000 vehicles travel this section of Highway 401,
which leads to Ontario's busiest border crossing in Windsor," said Mr. Crozier.
"These improvements are critical for the people who live and visit Essex and the
economic health of our businesses."
This work includes the following improvements to Highway 401 from Windsor to
Tilbury, an 11 kilometre stretch between Essex Road 42 and Highway 77:
Widening Highway 401 from four to six lanes
Installing a concrete median barrier to enhance safety
Improving the Essex Road 42 and Highway 77 interchanges
The second phase involving reconstruction and widening of Highway 401 from
Puce Road to Manning Road is expected to be completed by Fall 2006. The
remaining stages are in the planning and design phases.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to see the completion of the first phase
of this five phase project to improve Ontario's most important trade corridor,"
said Mr. Lapierre. "This announcement shows the important work that can be done
when governments work together."
"The strength of Ontario's economy is critical to our province's future. This
corridor is an important link in the movement of people and goods to Ontario's
largest international border crossing that carries more than 9,000 trucks per
day," said Mr. Takhar. "Local residents and businesses will benefit from this
$270 million investment to widen Highway 401 from Windsor to Tilbury."
This project is funded by the governments of Canada and Ontario under the
Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program (SHIP). Under the SHIP agreement, the
two governments are providing joint funding of $336 million for highway
improvement projects across Ontario.
Under the province's ReNew Ontario infrastructure investment plan, the
government of Ontario is investing $1.2 billion in highway improvements this
year. This record investment will improve safety, ease congestion and create
more jobs across the province. A safe, efficient transportation system is key to
building strong and prosperous communities.
A backgrounder on Canada and Ontario improving Highway 401 in Essex County is
attached.
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Contacts:
Irène Marcheterre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Stephanie Nadalin
Director of Communications
Office of the Ontario Minister of
Transportation, Toronto
(416) 327-1815
Robin Browne
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
Bob Nichols
Communications Branch
Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Toronto
(416) 327-1158
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ 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.
BACKGROUNDER
CANADA AND ONTARIO IMPROVEMENTS
TO HIGHWAY 401 IN ESSEX COUNTY
The governments of Canada and Ontario have completed the first
phase of Highway 401 improvements geared to improve road safety and
international traffic flow, from Essex Road 42 to Highway 77 in Essex County.
Five-Phase Highway 401 Widening Program
The five-phase Highway 401 widening program from Windsor to
Tilbury, with a total value of $270 million includes:
Phase One - Essex Road 42 to Highway 77
Improvements, totaling more than $57 million, to this section of 401 are now
complete and include:
Widening of Highway 401 from four to six lanes
Installing a concrete median barrier to enhance safety
Improving the Essex Road 42 and Highway 77 interchanges
Phase Two - Manning Road to Puce Road
Construction valued at more than $50 million began in Spring 2005 with
completion expected in Fall 2006. In addition to widening from four to six
lanes, the contract will involve:
Installing a concrete median barrier to enhance safety
Adding a new service road and commuter parking lot at the Manning Road
interchange
Improving both the Manning Road and Puce Road interchanges
Phase Three - Belle River Road to Highway 77
Detailed design expected to be completed by end of 2005 with construction
expected to begin in 2006.
Phase Four - Highway 3 to Manning Road
Detailed design expected to be completed by end of 2007 with construction
expected to begin in 2008.
Phase Five - Puce Road to Belle River Road
Environmental assessment has been completed with detailed design to begin in
fall 2006 following completion of phases two and three.
Phases One, Two and Three are being funded through the Strategic Highway
Infrastructure Program (SHIP), a joint federal-provincial funding program for
transportation infrastructure improvements in Ontario.
Through the Border Infrastructure Fund and as part of Phase Two of the Let's
Get Windsor-Essex Moving Strategy, Canada and Ontario are undertaking the
detailed design and construction of the Phase Four section from Highway 3 to
Manning Road.
Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving Strategy
On March 11, 2004, the governments of Canada, Ontario and the City of Windsor
signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving
Strategy, a commitment by the federal and provincial governments to jointly
invest $300 million for the implementation of short and medium-term projects to
improve traffic flows to existing crossings and address congestion and security
issues. Six projects, estimated at $82.25 million and announced as Phase One of
the strategy, are underway.
On April 21, 2005, the governments of Canada and Ontario announced an
additional $129 million in new initiatives under Phase Two of the strategy
including:
Environmental assessments and design for improvements to Highway 3,
Lauzon Parkway and Manning Road
Design/construction of the widening of Highway 401 from Highway 3 to
Manning Road
Construction of the Howard Avenue road-rail grade separation
Intersection improvements on Highway 3 at Outer Drive and Walker Road.
Bi-National Partnership
The governments of Canada, the United States, Ontario and Michigan are moving
forward in a Bi National Partnership to implement a 30-year transportation
strategy addressing the various challenges at the Windsor-Detroit Gateway,
including free and secure trade, security, environmental concerns and community
impacts.
The Detroit River International Crossing study is a key component of the
30-year strategy. This systematic, coordinated study will allow the governments
to decide on the location for a new or expanded international crossing. It will
provide the documentation necessary for approvals under environmental
legislation in both countries.
For more information on the status of the Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving
Strategy and the Detroit River International Crossing study, go to
www.mto.gov.on.ca
