Feedback period for Ambassador Bridge's twin proposal attracts 400 submissions


Dave Battagello
Apr 28, 2015 - 9:39 PM EDT
Last Updated: Apr 28, 2015 - 9:39 PM EDT

The community feedback deadline passed Monday for people interested in
responding to the Ambassador Bridge's proposal to build a twin span
just metres away from the existing 85-year-old Windsor-Detroit
crossing.

Transport Canada officials indicated Tuesday they received about 400
submissions during the 60-day response period.

The City of Windsor turned to high-profile Toronto environmental
lawyer David Estrin to file its opposition to the project. The city
remains concerned about environmental and traffic effects on
neighbourhoods close to the bridge -- especially should the current
plaza and operations be expanded.

City council long ago endorsed the planned Detroit River International
Crossing project which will provide a new Canada-U.S. span about two
kilometres downriver in the industrial Brighton Beach corridor.

The DRIC bridge is scheduled to open in 2020.

Local federal MP Brian Masse (NDP - Windsor West) and provincial MPP
Lisa Gretzky (NDP - Windsor West) were also among those to file
submissions -- both in opposition to the project.

Gretzky cited neighbourhood destruction already caused by the bridge
company through its purchase of dozens of homes on Indian Road and
other nearby streets that have been vacated and boarded up.

She also linked the closure a year ago of Forster Secondary School due
to declining enrolment as being linked to the bridge company's buying
spree of properties.

Should the twin span be allowed, it would lead to further erosion of
quality of life in the west end and Sandwich community, she said.

"The purchase of residential spaces along the Indian Road corridor and
resulting closure of J.L. Forster Secondary School underscores a
history of arrogance and neglect for the well-being of the community
on behalf of the Ambassador Bridge Company," said Gretzky in her
submission.

Transport Canada's approval of the project "will intensify the process
of urban decay already affecting the Indian Road corridor and will
extend its footprint in Sandwich Towne," Gretzky said.

A year ago, the bridge company was able to secure required approval
under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act on this side of the
border and the consultation phase was the next step for its proposal
that features a six-lane cable-stayed bridge tying into the existing
inspection plazas in both Windsor and Detroit.

Transport Canada will be required under the International Bridges and
Tunnels Act to study the comments and assemble a final recommendation
on the bridge company's plans.

That recommendation would then go to the federal government's cabinet
for final discussion on the Canadian side.

"The (bridge company) will be given the opportunity to respond to
issues raised through the consultations," said Melany Gauvin,
spokeswoman for Transport Canada.

Input received through the consultations and the bridge company's
responses "will be reviewed and will form recommendations to the
government for consideration," she said.

Despite getting closer to possible construction of a new bridge,
Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun still requires a handful of
approvals before he could actually begin construction -- including U.S.
Environmental Assessment approval.

The company says the proposed construction could be completed in three
years following final approvals at a cost of $500 million.

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