29 August 2002

Rock pledges funds to ease border tie-ups at Windsor

The following article is excerpted from the “globeandmail.com” edition of 29 August 2002.

The Liberal government will provide major funding for a new roadway in Windsor at the world's busiest border crossing, which has suffered from serious congestion since the increase in security after Sept. 11, Industry Minister Allan Rock says.

However, the minister said the government has not chosen between competing projects, including a proposed truck-and-rail tunnel that would require $150-million in government money.

Mr. Rock toured the Windsor border area by helicopter yesterday and said the constant traffic tie-ups represent a serious commercial handicap for Canadian businesses trying to serve U.S. customers.

The Windsor-Detroit crossings were already congested before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but increased border security has created a massive backlog….

Ottawa has set aside $600-million to upgrade border infrastructure, and Mr. Rock said a "very substantial amount of that money" will be allocated to Windsor-Detroit. The busy border crossing is not only critical to Ontario but it also handles 30 per cent of Quebec's exports….

Mr. Rock said he could not commit to any specific projects but is awaiting a report from a business task force that will recommend how the federal money should be allocated.

A partnership between CP Rail and Borealis Transportation Infrastructure Trust, the investment arm of the Ontario teachers' pension fund, presented details yesterday of its proposed solution to the Detroit-Windsor logjam: a $600-million redevelopment of an existing rail tunnel into a truck lane and the building of a new rail tunnel.

The Detroit River Tunnel Partnership said it can raise $450-million in private-sector money, but needs $150-million from government to fund the project, which could be completed by 2007.

DRTP general manager Michael Sheahan said the project would take advantage of existing CP Rail rights-of-way and move traffic off city streets, which now resemble parking lots for trucks waiting to cross the border….

The tunnel project faces competition from the proponents of a plan to twin the Ambassador Bridge, a project that would cost about $400-million and take 10 years to complete….

The Industry Minister said there are pros and cons to all the proposals for increasing capacity at the border, and the government would have to review recommendations. But he added that the need for action is "urgent."

Mike Walker, chairman of the business committee that is reviewing options, said the group will make recommendations on staffing of U.S. Customs, on technology requirements and procedures, and on upgrading the existing bridge and tunnel, which is restricted to passenger cars.

The three options

A Canadian-U.S. task force is reviewing proposals to ease congestion at the Detroit-Windsor crossing.

Rail tunnel conversion: $600-million conversion of twin rail tunnels to truck corridor and construction of a new rail tunnel.

Ambassador Bridge:

$400-million construction of a second span at the Ambassador Bridge.

Ferry option:

$14-million addition of passenger and truck ferries.