No. ON 001/09
For release - April 8, 2009
WINDSOR — Advance construction has begun on the Howard Avenue CPR grade separation project thanks to an investment by the governments of Canada and Ontario. The project will reduce road congestion, improve commute times and create new jobs for the local community.
Gagnon Demolition Inc. of Essex County began demolition of the Ziebart Tidy Car building on Monday prior to construction of the main grade separation contract. The value of this demolition project is approximately $40,000 and work is expected to be complete by May 15, 2009. Tenders for construction of the main grade separation project will be announced later this spring with work beginning in the summer.
"I am proud of this investment by the Government of Canada. It will pave the way for future border crossing infrastructure improvements which will, in turn, boost our local economy and encourage trade and tourism in our region." said Jeff Watson, Member of Parliament for Essex. "The advance construction of the Howard Avenue rail separation will also provide much-needed jobs now to support the economies of Windsor-Essex, Ontario and Canada."
"Our government is continuing to support Windsor-Essex, with investments in infrastructure and jobs when our economy needs it most" said Sandra Pupatello, Ontario Minister of International Trade and Investment, and MPP for Windsor West. "These improvements on Howard Avenue are strategic investments that provide jobs now and build foundations for tomorrow—moving people and goods faster and more efficiently," added Dwight Duncan, Ontario Minister of Finance and MPP for Windsor-Tecumseh.
Demolition of this building will not impact traffic and the Ministry of Transportation is working with the City of Windsor to mitigate any impacts to businesses and residents in the area. Work to be completed includes removal of structures and utilities, and clean up of the site. The contractor will reuse and recycle as many materials as possible.
The main construction contract for the rail bridge structure and the grade separation will be tendered and awarded later this spring with construction expected to start later this summer. This project was jointly funded by the governments of Canada and Ontario under the Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving strategy, a $300-million commitment for several transportation infrastructure projects that will improve efficiency and reduce congestion in Windsor-Essex. Funding for this strategy comes from the Canada-Ontario Border Infrastructure Fund.
For more information on the status of the Let's Get Windsor-Essex Moving strategy, please visit www.ontario.ca/transportation.
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For more information on the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, please visit www.mto.gov.ca.
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