Joint Can-Am ITS project unveiled for border crossing

WINDSOR, Ont. — Ontario and the State of Michigan will share Intelligent Transportation System technology to help keep traffic flowing at the largest border crossing in North America.

Under the agreement, the two jurisdictions will develop a joint ITS system the ease congestion in Windsor and Detroit.

ITS monitors traffic, weather, road and border conditions, to allow officials to respond more quickly and provide real-time information on border conditions to help truckers and travellers plan their trips.

Canadian funding for this strategy comes from the Canada-Ontario Border Infrastructure Fund, a joint commitment by the federal and provincial
governments to invest $300 million on the Windsor Gateway.

Recently completed projects already announced as part of the strategy include:

Installation of new wayfind signage for the Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry; a pedestrian overpass on Huron Church Road; intersection improvements on Highway 3 at Outer Drive and Walker Road.

Also, seven ITS cameras to improve traffic management, video monitoring along Huron Church Road and E.C. Row; advance work at Grand Marais and Walker Rd to facilitate traffic staging during the upcoming construction; and intersection improvements on Huron Church at Industrial Drive to facilitate access to the U.S. Customs truck pre-processing facility.

Additional projects will complete the environmental assessment and engineering phases in 2007.