Windsor Bridge Trumps Toronto Transit
TORONTO--The McGuinty Government announced on Friday April 9th that “Improving the flow of traffic at the Windsor border is the number one economic infrastructure priority for the Government of Ontario.”
Premier McGuinty made this statement in "Ontario Announces Improvements To Windsor-Essex Gateway," part of the Ontario Government’s $1.6 billion commitment to the controversial Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) project that seeks to create a new taxpayer supported Windsor-Detroit border crossing. DRIC continues to advance despite the steady and persistent decline in cross-border traffic in the Windsor-Detroit corridor dating back to 1999.
Sierra Club opposes the DRIC project because it is unnecessary and environmentally destructive. On the Canadian side, access to the proposed new bridge would damage the environmentally sensitive Ojibway Prairie Complex of parks and preserves, harming at least 10 species at risk. The April 9 announcement also comes in the wake of an Ontario budget that strips $4 billion in funding from Toronto transit projects despite evidence that Toronto traffic congestion ranks among the world’s worst.
“The McGuinty Government has taken desperately needed funding away from Toronto transit to support the construction of an unneeded bridge to service declining cross-border traffic," said Dan McDermott, Sierra Club Ontario chapter director. "Toronto residents need new transit options, but these are being sacrificed for a decreasing number of people driving to Detroit.”
The environmentally destructive and manifestly unneeded DRIC project should be abandoned for these reasons. McDermott added today “Premier McGuinty’s support of DRIC and failure to support GTA transit sends a message to Torontonians that they are second class citizens of Ontario.”
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Contact:
Dan McDermott
Sierra Club Ontario chapter director
416-960-6075
416-873-3852 (cell)
Comments
DRIC in Windsor
It is unconscionable for the Sierra Club to oppose funding for a much needed border crossing improvement at the Windsor-Detroit border. I don't know where you get your information, but this crossing is one of the major commercial crossings, with an ever increasing amount of "just in time" transport traffic. At the very least, DRIC will decrease the constant stopping and starting of trucks and, thereby, improve air quality.
There are always more financial needs than provincial or federal money, but, it is about time that we "almost forgotten folks" here in Windsor get a break instead of ever greedy Toronto. It is interesting that Weston got a buried rail line after citizens complained.
If you really want to worry about environmental issues, do your homework and realize that our Mayor and City Council and a large segment of our population supported a much greener solution entitled "Greenlink". While some compromises are evident, at the end of the day, our citizens on the west end of the city will have to continue to breath foul air. I live far from the area in question, but I care about every part of our city.
Hey Sierra Club, last time I checked, Windsor was part of the Province of Ontario, Canada!
Response
Dear Patricia Chute,
Sierra Club in both Canada and the US is opposing the DRIC project. Additional infrastructure to facilitate car and truck traffic is clearly unneeded. Cross-border traffic has been in decline since 1999. Any new infrastructure focused on trucks should be inter modal rail.
Additionally, the Windsor-Essex Parkway, the Canadian approach to DRIC, would negatively impact upon the sensitive Ojibway complex. At risk would be the wetland and tall grass prairie ecosystems and the many species at risk that have Ojibway as their habitat.
The $4 billion that McGuinty has taken away from transit also impacts upon Windsor, as there will be less money for new bus purchases. As a provincial transportation infrastructure issue Sierra Club is comparing the unneeded DRIC project that is addressing a declining demand with badly needed transit funding that would relieve gridlock, get more people out of their cars, improve air quality and public health, address the challenge of climate change and have a positive economic impact. This comparison can only lead to the conclusion that DRIC is unnecessary, a waste of taxpayer's money, environmentally destructive and receiving funding that should go to badly needed public transit.
Sincerely, Dan McDermott, Director
Reply to Emma Cane re DRIC
Dear Emma,
Thank you for your response. You mention "badly needed transit funding that would relieve gridlock", but fail to say where you feel that funding is needed. Toronto, I am guessing.
Please understand that the cross-border decline includes automobile traffic, which was certainly impacted after 9/11. I understand that transport truck traffic has also declined, but, according to various media reports, the volume is still higher than at any other border crossing. When trucks are stopping and starting and exhaust is constantly being put out around residential neighbourhoods, what volume of truck traffic would you deem acceptable, if you were breathing the air?
The next time you buy oranges at your grocery store, keep in mind that, in order for them to get to you, they have to ride in a big truck, through someone's neighbourhood.
If you want the last word, you shall have it, as this is my final comment on the subject.
Sincerely,
Pat Chute.
Oranges
I will forward your comment to the author of the post, Dan McDermott.