No. H 166/09
For release - December 3, 2009
WINDSOR, ONTARIO — The Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) project has reached another significant milestone with the approval of the federal environmental assessment for the proposed bridge and inspection plaza located in the Brighton Beach area of Windsor.
Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Windsor Port Authority, as the responsible authorities for the environmental assessment, determined that the DRIC project, with the proposed environmental mitigation, will not likely result in any significant environmental effects. Transport Canada will continue to work with other federal authorities and the Province of Ontario to ensure that the commitments outlined in the environmental assessment are undertaken. This includes the development of follow up and monitoring programs, and detailed environmental management plans.
"The Government of Canada continues to move forward in the development of a new border crossing between Windsor and Detroit," said Canada's Transport Minister John Baird. "This new publicly owned bridge will not only secure Canada's position as one of the world's greatest trading nations, but also provide much needed economic stimulus and local jobs."
This approval of the federal environmental assessment also includes the Windsor–Essex Parkway component of the project. Today's announcement follows the Province of Ontario's approval of the environmental assessment for the Windsor-Essex Parkway in August 2009. The parkway, which is an extension of Highway 401, will carry international traffic to the new border crossing. The coordinated environmental assessment process for the roadway, inspection plaza and bridge included extensive public consultation, as well as detailed reviews by federal and provincial regulatory agencies.
The environmental study in the U.S. has also been completed, and a Record of Decision has been issued. The Record of Decision is the final approval required under U.S. environmental legislation.
With environmental assessment approvals in hand, the Government of Canada can proceed with the next steps of the project, which include preliminary design for the bridge and plaza, as well as discussions with our U.S. partners on the procurement of the new crossing.
The federal Notice of Decision is posted on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry and can be viewed at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/details-eng.cfm?evaluation=18170.
Today's announcement follows the Government of Canada's notice on July 20, 2009, that it has purchased land from the City of Windsor to build Canada's inspection plaza and Canada's portion of the six-lane bridge.
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