Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) Study

2007 Ohio Conference on FreightToledo, 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!

• 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!

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.

Purpose of the DRIC Study

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

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.

Why a New Crossing at Windsor-Detroit?

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.

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.

Environmental Assessment – A Coordinated Approach

TIME

Steps in Evaluation Process

Aug ‘05Jan ‘06

Jan ‘07

Spring ‘08

AMOUNT OFANALYSIS

NUMBER OFALTERNATIVES

AssessIllustrative

Alternatives& IdentifyPractical

Alternatives

AssessIllustrative

Alternatives& IdentifyPractical

Alternatives

Purpose of theUndertaking,

Assess PlanningAlternativesand DevelopIllustrative

Alternatives

Purpose of theUndertaking,

Assess PlanningAlternativesand DevelopIllustrative

Alternatives

Refine andAssess

PracticalAlternatives

Refine andAssess

PracticalAlternatives

Select TechnicallyPreferred Alternative;Refine & CompletePreliminary Design

Select TechnicallyPreferred Alternative;Refine & CompletePreliminary Design

Evaluation Process__________________

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.

Broad Consultation Throughout The Project

THE PARTNERSHIP

CANADIANBORDER

AGENCIES

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

GROUP

CANADIANPROJECT

TEAMEXPERTISE

CANADIANMUNICIPALCOUNCILS

MUNICIPALADVISORY

GROUP

FIRSTNATIONS

CANADIANPUBLIC

CDNREGULATORY

AGENCIES

LOCALADVISORYCOUNCIL

PRIVATESECTOR

ADVISORYGROUP

FEDERALLYRECOGNIZED

TRIBES

LOCALAGENCYGROUP

U.S. CITY COUNCILS

U.S.PROJECT

TEAMEXPERTISE

U.S.BORDER

AGENCIES

U.S.PUBLIC

U.S.REGULATORY

AGENCIES

CROSSINGOWNERS

OPERATORSPROPONENTS

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

Environmental Assessment Key Study Activities

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

• 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.

An End-to-End Solution

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.

1B One-way service roads either side of 6-lane freeway below-grade.

2A Six-lane freeway at grade, along side Huron Church/Highway 3.

2B Six-lane freeway below-grade, parallel to Huron Church/Highway 3.

3 Cut and cover tunnel below rebuilt Huron Church Road/Highway 3 Corridor.

• 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

Parkway Option

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 TimelineDRIC Project Timeline

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

EA/EIS Review& Approval

EA/EIS Review& Approval

NEWCROSSING

2013

NEWCROSSING

2013

LandAcquisition

LandAcquisition

Technically andEnvironmentally Preferred

Alternative SelectedSpring 2008

Technically andEnvironmentally Preferred

Alternative SelectedSpring 2008

Detroit RiverInternational Crossing

Route Planning andEnvironmental Assessment (EA) / Environmental Impact Statement

(EIS)

Detroit RiverInternational Crossing

Route Planning andEnvironmental Assessment (EA) / Environmental Impact Statement

(EIS)

ENGINEERING / CONSTRUCTIONENGINEERING / CONSTRUCTION

Contacts

Mohammed AlghurabiSenior Project ManagerMichigan Department

of Transportation

(517) 373-7674AlghurabiM@michigan.gov

Sean O’DellExecutive Director

Windsor Gateway ProjectTransport Canada

(613) 991-4702OdellS@tc.gc.ca

www.partnershipborderstudy.com

1-800-900-2649