Transit and road infrastructure in Windsor will get a financial boost over the next few years.
Windsor City Council approved in special session Tuesday afternoon a plan to spend over $47 million on road and transit projects throughout the city, the first chunk of a total of $145 million the city is expected to get over the next decade through the federal government's Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). The measure, a joint venture with the government, was approved unanimously by the councillors in attendance. Councillors Fred Francis, Chris Holt, Gary Kaschak and Kieran McKenzie were absent.
Mayor Drew Dilkens said the requirements to receive the funding were specific, geared toward transit-related issues such as roads, public transport, sidewalks, and more. The mayor said the funding would help fulfil several campaign promises by expediting projects that are already underway.
"When we finally got our number and saw that it was $145 million, that opens up a lot of possibilities," said Dilkens. "You'll see a number of elements included in this plan that were directly touched on during the campaign, and I hope that's what people expect, that a politician does what they say they are going to do."
Those projects include the third and fourth phases of the Cabana Road project from Rankin Avenue and Dougall Avenue, which involves the expansion of sidewalks and cycling infrastructure, as well as cycling on Grand Marais Road between Dougall and Dominion Road. A fleet replacement program for Transit Windsor is also involved.
Dilkens said road work projects for the E.C. Row Expressway, Dougall Avenue, Tecumseh Road, Dominion Road and Northwood Street would also be helped along by the funding.
Ottawa began the funding program in April of this year, and the local work must be completed by March 2027, when the program expires.
Specific details on these projects and the funding for them are available on the City of Windsor's official website.