22 July 2004

Changes planned for border tunnel

The following article is excerpted from the 21 July 2004 edition of the “Toronto Star”.

The company that owns the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel plans to make about $4 million (U.S.) in improvements over the next three years to speed traffic and maintain security.

"We are in the process of upgrading all the toll booths and hope to have the first one open to the public by November," said Neal Belitsky, vice-president and general manager of the Detroit and Canada Tunnel Corp.

All the improvements, which were worth about $5 million (Canadian) at yesterday's exchange rate, will be on the Detroit side of the tunnel. Some booths will be all electronic, while others will be staffed, but eventually all the booths will have electronic capabilities.

"Motorists will be able to pay electronically, with credit cards, bills or coins. We hope to do the booths in Windsor in 2005," Belitsky told the Detroit News.

About 20,000 vehicles use the tunnel daily. At some times, there is no wait, while waits can take one hour or more during rush hours, special events and weekends.

…. Officials working on building a third crossing say it will open in 2013 at the earliest.