1.0 Introduction

The Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) Study is a bi-national transportation improvement study that has been undertaken by the governments of Canada, United States (U.S.), Ontario, and Michigan, who have formed the Canada-U.S.-Ontario-Michigan Border Transportation Partnership (the Partnership).

The study resulted from the Planning/Need and Feasibility (P/NF) Study completed in 2004, which identified the need to address the safe and efficient movement of people and goods in the long-term between Southwestern Ontario and Southeastern Michigan (Environmental Assessment Report W.O. 04-33-002, 2008).

After completion of the P/NF Study in 2004, the Partnership initiated a formal Environmental Assessment (EA) process for a new Detroit River International Crossing. After evaluating the practical alternatives for an access road, Canadian inspection plaza, and an international bridge crossing, the Technically and Environmentally Preferred Alternative (TEPA) was selected. The TEPA includes The Windsor-Essex Parkway, Plaza B1 and Crossing X-10B (see Figure 1).

Subsequent to the selection of the TEPA, refinements were developed based on further technical analysis and stakeholder consultation, with the objectives of further enhancing the benefits or mitigating the effects of the TEPA.

The new plaza, Plaza B1 will be designed to serve the future (2035) travel demands at the border crossing. Initial construction of the plaza may not include the fully developed plaza, as the plaza may be developed in stages. The initial construction of the plaza will be such that future expansion will be possible by way of constructing additional inspection booths or tolls.

Plaza B1 includes:

•  Total plaza area of 137 acres (55 hectares);

•  Total of 29 inbound inspection lanes;

•  Total of 103 secondary inspection parking spaces for commercial vehicles;

•  Nine toll collection lanes; and

•  Stormwater management features to control quality and quantity of runoff water.

The final conceptual design of the plaza includes a local access road along the edge of the plaza that will provide continuity for traffic between Sandwich Street and Broadway Street. Local access will also be provided at the north end of the plaza from a realigned Sandwich Street to the Brighton Beach Power Station and Keith Transformer Station.