Artist rendering of a wildlife passage for Ojibway Parkway by Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions. (Provided by the City of Windsor)Artist rendering of a wildlife passage for Ojibway Parkway by Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions. (Provided by the City of Windsor)
Windsor

City of Windsor considering eco-passage design for Ojibway Parkway

The City of Windsor is looking for input from residents on the design of a new wildlife crossing on the Ojibway Parkway.

City staff are considering an overpass or underpass model that would connect Black Oak Heritage Park and Ojibway Park between Broadway and Sprucewood Avenue.

“We know that as our community continues to grow, and the Gordie Howe International Bridge is completed, even more traffic will lead to more animal collisions. Establishing this corridor is important for local wildlife, but also save Windsor drivers from potentially dangerous – and costly – vehicle impacts,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.

Currently, it's estimated about 20,000 vehicles a day travel along Ojibway Parkway and the E.C. Row Expressway. This results in a high amount of wildlife being injured or killed.

The Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority has committed $1.5 million as part of its Community Benefits Plan to help complete the environmental assessment for the project.

As part of the environmental assessment, the city is required to consult with the public. The public information consultations will take place virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. The city will seek input from the public on two more occasions throughout the planning process.

Currently, the preferred model is a 50-metre overpass to allow the passage of small and large wildlife and provide ecological connectivity of the landscape.

Information about the conceptual designs can be found on the city's website. Comments are being collected until December 3, 2020.

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