Windsor project aims to consolidate rail lines

WINDSOR, Ont. — A city-backed study is proposing that two-thirds of the railway tracks in Windsor be eliminated.

According to the Windsor Star, the border city’s ‘railway issues committee’ has released a report that recommends a $313-million multiphase project that would merge Windsor’s existing lines for Canadian National, Canadian Pacific Railway and VIA Rail into one major double-tracked route linking to Detroit.

The idea, reports The Star, has been discussed since 2004, but the latest study that is scheduled to go to city council on Sept. 9 contains "technically preferred solutions."

The VIA line along the riverfront would be closed, and Windsor’s train station would be relocated likely to the downtown area.
The city’s public works department estimates completion of the first phase alone would cost $175 million and take between five and 10 years.

A new railway tunnel that would handle modern container freight cars across the border would add another $400 million, according to the paper.

The railways are expected to pick up the bulk of the bill.