Transcript Document

Detroit River International Crossing
(DRIC) Study
2007 Ohio Conference on Freight
Toledo, Ohio
September 18, 2007
The Border Transportation Partnership
Why a Border Transportation Partnership?

Need for long-term
improvements was recognized

Within the mandates of:





U.S. Federal Highway
Administration
Transport Canada
Michigan Department of
Transportation
Ontario Ministry of
Transportation
Both countries must agree to
make a new crossing happen!
The DRIC Study
• As part of this long-term strategy, the
Partnership is conducting a study to
provide for the safe, efficient and secure
movement of people and goods across
the border.
• For more than two years, teams of
experts in Canada and the U.S. have been
working on the Detroit River International
Crossing Study.
• We are making excellent progress!
Purpose of the DRIC Study
The DRIC study is addressing regional transportation and mobility
needs:
• New border crossing capacity to meet long-term demand
• Improved system connectivity to enhance flow of people and goods
• Improved border operations and processing capabilities
• Reasonable, secure crossing options (redundancy)
We are seeking solutions that will minimize community and
environmental impacts.
Detroit-Windsor:
A Vital Link

Approximately 28% of
U.S.-Canada surface
trade

Over 80% of all goods
crossing the Detroit River
are carried by truck

Significant to the
economies of two nations

The partnering
governments must
protect transportation
services
Why a New Crossing at Windsor-Detroit?
Busiest commercial land border in North America. Each year at
Windsor-Detroit:
 More than 3.5 million trucks and 12 million cars cross both ways;
 More than $122 billion (25% total Canada-U.S. trade) flows through;
 Approx. 35% of Canada-U.S. road trade crosses.
Under high-growth scenarios, cross-border traffic demand
could exceed the capacity of the present border crossings at
Windsor-Detroit as early as 2015.
Travel Demand vs. Capacity:
Combined Detroit River Crossings
Ohio-Canada Trade Stats
• Ohio exported $16.8 billion to Canada in 2005.
• Ohio imported $13.7 billion from Canada in 2005.
• Canada is Ohio’s largest export market, with trade almost equivalent to the
state’s export sales to all other countries combined.
• 276,500 Ohio jobs are supported by U.S. - Canada trade.
• Canadians made more than 511,300 visits to Ohio in 2005, spending $96
million (USD).
• In turn, Ohio residents made 698,400 visits to Canada, spending $235
million.
Environmental Assessment –
A Coordinated Approach
The Partnership has developed a coordinated process that is:
• thorough;
• open and transparent;
• fully accessible to the public.
On both sides of the border, this coordinated process will:
• enable joint selection of a recommended river crossing that meets
environmental requirements;
• ensure environmental concerns and community impacts are
addressed.
TIME
Evaluation
Process
Aug ‘05
Jan ‘06
Jan ‘07
__________________
The underlying
principle for the
alternatives
generation and
evaluation process
is to start with a
broad perspective
and become more
focused/ detailed
as the project
progresses.
NUMBER OF
ALTERNATIVES
Spring ‘08
AMOUNT OF
ANALYSIS
Purpose of the
Undertaking,
Assess Planning
Alternatives
and Develop
Illustrative
Alternatives
Assess
Illustrative
Alternatives
& Identify
Practical
Alternatives
Refine and
Assess
Practical
Alternatives
Steps in Evaluation Process
Select Technically
Preferred Alternative;
Refine & Complete
Preliminary Design
Broad Consultation Throughout The Project
U.S. CITY
COUNCILS
U.S.
BORDER
AGENCIES
CANADIAN
MUNICIPAL
COUNCILS
CDN
REGULATORY
AGENCIES
U.S.
REGULATORY
AGENCIES
FIRST
NATIONS
CANADIAN
PUBLIC
U.S.
PUBLIC
THE
PARTNERSHIP
COMMUNITY
CONSULTATION
GROUP
FEDERALLY
RECOGNIZED
TRIBES
U.S.
PROJECT
TEAM
EXPERTISE
LOCAL
AGENCY
GROUP
LOCAL
ADVISORY
COUNCIL
PRIVATE
SECTOR
ADVISORY
GROUP
CANADIAN
PROJECT
TEAM
EXPERTISE
CROSSING
OWNERS
OPERATORS
PROPONENTS
MUNICIPAL
ADVISORY
GROUP
CANADIAN
BORDER
AGENCIES
Environmental Assessment Key Study Activities
Developed Initial Set of Crossing Alternatives, Plaza Locations

& Connecting Routes in Canada and the U.S.
 Defined Area of Continued Analysis
 Presented Specific Crossing, Plaza and Access Road Options

Presented Preliminary Results of Social, Economic, Environmental
and Engineering Assessments
Identify Preferred Crossing Location, Plaza Locations &
Connecting Routes in Canada and the U.S. (SPRING 2008)
Finalize Engineering and Mitigation Measures
Document Study and Submit for Approvals
Illustrative Alternatives
Practical Crossing, Plaza & Route Alternatives
Plaza and Crossing Locations
U.S. Study
X-10 Crossing Alternatives
X-11 Crossing Alternatives
Composite of the Two Footprints
Delray Land Use Options
Delray Land Use Options
Canadian Study
An End-to-End Solution
• The Canadian DRIC team faces a distinct challenge – to extend the
existing Highway 401 to the new border crossing.
 New six-lane highway, approximately 8 km in length
 Several alternatives considered; at-grade, below grade, tunneled,
‘Parkway’.
• Goal is to improve quality of life, take trucks off city streets, and
improve movement of traffic across the border.
• All access road alternatives, as well as plaza and crossing
alternatives, will be evaluated against seven factors.
Evaluation Factors
 Changes to Air Quality
 Protection of Community and Neighborhood Characteristics
 Consistency with Existing & Planned Land Use
 Protection of Cultural Resources
 Protection of Natural Environment
 Improvements to Regional Mobility
 Cost and Constructability
Access Road Alternatives
1A
One-way service roads on either side of
6-lane freeway at grade.
2A
1B One-way service roads either side of
6-lane freeway below-grade.
Six-lane freeway at grade, along side
Huron Church/Highway 3.
3
2B
Six-lane freeway below-grade, parallel to
Huron Church/Highway 3.
Cut and cover tunnel below rebuilt Huron
Church Road/Highway 3 Corridor.
Parkway Option
• Addresses the future transportation and mobility needs
of the region
• Responds to local concerns  Covered sections of highway (short tunnels) at 10 locations
to improve community connections across the corridor
 Landscaping to reduce visual impacts
 Recreational trails for pedestrians and bicycles along and
across the corridor
 Opportunities for gateway entrance features to Canada,
Ontario, Windsor/Essex County
Views of the Parkway – Huron Church Line area (looking east)
Views of the Parkway – Labelle area (looking east from EC Row)
Next Steps
• Continue to consult with the public
• Complete the technical and environmental studies
• Present a single technically and environmentally preferred
alternative
 Spring 2008
• Submit final study documents to approving agencies
DRIC Project Timeline
2005
2006
2007
Detroit River
International Crossing
Route Planning and
Environmental Assessment (EA) /
Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS)
Technically and
Environmentally Preferred
Alternative Selected
Spring 2008
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
EA/EIS Review
& Approval
Land
Acquisition
ENGINEERING / CONSTRUCTION
NEW
CROSSING
2013
Contacts
Mohammed Alghurabi
Sean O’Dell
Senior Project Manager
Michigan Department
of Transportation
Executive Director
Windsor Gateway Project
Transport Canada
(517) 373-7674
[email protected]
(613) 991-4702
[email protected]
www.partnershipborderstudy.com
1-800-900-2649