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!

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 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 Ohio imported $13.7 billion from Canada in 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 ‘05 Jan ‘06 Jan ‘07 Spring ‘08 AMOUNT OF ANALYSIS NUMBER OF ALTERNATIVES Assess Illustrative Alternatives & Identify Practical Alternatives Purpose of the Undertaking, Assess Planning Alternatives and Develop Illustrative Alternatives Refine and Assess Practical Alternatives Select Technically Preferred Alternative; Refine & Complete Preliminary 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 CANADIAN BORDER AGENCIES COMMUNITY CONSULTATION GROUP CANADIAN PROJECT TEAM EXPERTISE CANADIAN MUNICIPAL COUNCILS MUNICIPAL ADVISORY GROUP FIRST NATIONS CANADIAN PUBLIC CDN REGULATORY AGENCIES LOCAL ADVISORY COUNCIL PRIVATE SECTOR ADVISORY GROUP FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES LOCAL AGENCY GROUP U.S. CITY COUNCILS U.S. PROJECT TEAM EXPERTISE U.S. BORDER AGENCIES U.S. PUBLIC U.S. REGULATORY AGENCIES CROSSING OWNERS OPERATORS PROPONENTS

 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

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 Timeline EA/EIS Review & Approval EA/EIS Review & Approval NEW CROSSING 2013 Land Acquisition Technically and Environmentally Preferred Alternative Selected Spring 2008 Technically and Environmentally Preferred Alternative Selected Spring 2008 Detroit River International Crossing Route Planning and Environmental Assessment (EA) / Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Detroit River International Crossing Route Planning and Environmental Assessment (EA) / Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) ENGINEERING / CONSTRUCTION

Contacts Mohammed Alghurabi Senior Project Manager Michigan Department of Transportation (517) Sean O’Dell Executive Director Windsor Gateway Project Transport Canada (613)