No. H 080/07
For release May 7, 2007
SARNIA, ONTARIO - Ms. Pat Davidson, MP for Sarnia - Lambton, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, with MPP for Sarnia
- Lambton, Caroline DiCocco, on behalf of the Honourable Donna Cansfield, Ontario Transportation Minister, today announced the introduction of new Intelligent Transportation Systems technology at the Blue Water Bridge border crossing along Highway 402 to enhance safety and help improve the flow of traffic.
"Intelligent Transportation Systems technology on Highway 402 will help deliver an integrated transportation network that supports the economic well-being and quality of life that the residents of Sarnia deserve," said Ms. Davidson.
"Innovative technologies at strategic locations, like border crossings, are extremely beneficial for businesses and travellers," said Ms. DiCocco. "The queue-end warning system is helping reduce collisions and ensure faster clearance at the Blue Water Bridge border crossing."
Both governments are contributing a total of $4.4 million for this technology including:
pavement sensors that monitor vehicle speeds and, within 30 seconds, send traffic information to queue-end warning signs and to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's Southwestern Regional Communications Centre. The warning signs will provide motorists with information on traffic conditions ahead; and
nine closed-circuit television cameras that will assist Ontario ministry staff to detect incidents and dispatch emergency services sooner. As a result, road emergencies and related traffic congestion will be resolved more efficiently.
"This new technology will help keep this important transportation and trade corridor moving," said Minister Cannon. "It demonstrates Canada's New Government's commitment to working with its partners to improve Canada's border transportation infrastructure."
"This is one more example of Canada and Ontario working together to support economic growth," said Minister Cansfield. "More than $115 million in goods cross at this border point each day. Intelligent Transportation Systems will keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely so that border delays are minimized."
This initiative is just one element of the federal and provincial governments' Action Plan for Intelligent Border Crossing. Other technology investments include traffic management systems, traveller information systems and commercial vehicle and passenger car pre-screening systems.
The Government of Canada's funding for this project comes from the $600-million Border Infrastructure Fund. The fund provides financial assistance for infrastructure projects that reduce border congestion, improve the flow of goods and services and expand existing infrastructure.
This year, the Government of Ontario is investing over $1.7 billion in highway improvements through its five-year ReNew Ontario infrastructure investment plan. This investment will strengthen Ontario's economic advantage and create opportunities for the Province's residents and businesses.
A backgrounder on Intelligent Border Systems at Blue Water Bridge is attached.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Jamie Rilett
Office of the Ontario
Transportation Minister, Toronto
416-327-9134
Nicole McNeely
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Sébastien Togneri
Executive Assistant to
MP Pat Davidson
613-957-2649
Bob Nichols
MTO Communications Branch
Toronto
416-327-1158
Public Inquires:
416-235-4686 (GTA)
1-800-268-4686 toll free
1-866-471-8929 TTY
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.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is online at www.mto.gov.on.ca.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
BACKGROUNDER
INTELLIGENT BORDER SYSTEMS
AT BLUE WATER BRIDGE
The governments of Canada and Ontario have invested in new technology to help improve safety and traffic flow on the section of Highway 402 that leads to the Blue Water Bridge, as both governments recognize the importance of this corridor to the Canadian economy.
Blue Water Bridge/Highway 402 improvements
Intelligent Transportation Systems technology has been installed along the 15-kilometre section of Highway 402 that leads to the Sarnia – Port Huron border crossing. The technology used in this project includes electronic queue-end warning signs; pavement vehicle sensors; 30 vehicle detector stations; and nine closed circuit television cameras.
These investments are one element of a larger Action Plan for Intelligent Border Crossing that will include various other technologies to improve safety and traffic flow.
Previous road improvements and better safety practices are responsible for a significant decrease in the number of border traffic collisions approaching the bridge. Between January and July 2004, there were 26 collisions involving vehicles operating in slow or stopped traffic. In the same
seven-month period in 2005, there were no similar collisions.
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 2005, 3.7 million cars and 1.8 million trucks crossed the bridge.
On a busy day, trucks account for 30 per cent of the 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 section of the Blue Water Bridge.
Sarnia/Point Edward projects
In addition to the project to construct a queue-end warning system along Highway 402 from the Blue Water Bridge to Lambton Road 26, other projects leading to this border crossing include:
rebuilding of Highway 402 from Lambton Road 26 to Highway 21, (phase 1 has been completed and phase 2 is currently underway);
preliminary design for the westbound lane widening and improvements to Highway 402 on the approaches to the Blue Water Bridge easterly (completed);
widening of Highway 401 from Highway 402 to Wellington Road in London from four to six lanes (currently underway);
preliminary design for the relocation of municipal roads related to safety of the bridge's infrastructure (currently underway); and
cost-sharing the eastbound lane plaza reconstruction by Ontario and the Blue Water Bridge Authority (currently underway). This project is not funded through the Border Infrastructure Fund.
May 2007
