detroit river international crossing (dric) study 2007 ohio conference on freight toledo, ohio...
TRANSCRIPT
Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) Study
2007 Ohio Conference on FreightToledo, Ohio
September 18, 2007
Why a Border Transportation Partnership?
Need for long-term improvements was recognized
Within the mandates of:
U.S. Federal Highway Administration
Transport Canada Michigan Department of
Transportation Ontario Ministry of
Transportation
Both countries must agree to make a new crossing happen!
• As part of this long-term strategy, the Partnership is conducting a study to provide for the safe, efficient and secure movement of people and goods across the border.
• For more than two years, teams of experts in Canada and the U.S. have been working on the Detroit River International Crossing Study.
• We are making excellent progress!
The DRIC Study
The DRIC study is addressing regional transportation and mobility needs:
• New border crossing capacity to meet long-term demand
• Improved system connectivity to enhance flow of people and goods
• Improved border operations and processing capabilities
• Reasonable, secure crossing options (redundancy)
We are seeking solutions that will minimize community and environmental impacts.
Purpose of the DRIC Study
Detroit-Windsor: A Vital Link
Approximately 28% of U.S.-Canada surface trade
Over 80% of all goods crossing the Detroit River are carried by truck
Significant to the economies of two nations
The partnering governments must protect transportation services
Busiest commercial land border in North America. Each year at Windsor-Detroit:
More than 3.5 million trucks and 12 million cars cross both ways;
More than $122 billion (25% total Canada-U.S. trade) flows through;
Approx. 35% of Canada-U.S. road trade crosses.
Under high-growth scenarios, cross-border traffic demand could exceed the capacity of the present border crossings at Windsor-Detroit as early as 2015.
Why a New Crossing at Windsor-Detroit?
Ohio-Canada Trade Stats
• Ohio exported $16.8 billion to Canada in 2005.
• Ohio imported $13.7 billion from Canada in 2005.
• Canada is Ohio’s largest export market, with trade almost equivalent to the state’s export sales to all other countries combined.
• 276,500 Ohio jobs are supported by U.S. - Canada trade.
• Canadians made more than 511,300 visits to Ohio in 2005, spending $96 million (USD).
• In turn, Ohio residents made 698,400 visits to Canada, spending $235 million.
The Partnership has developed a coordinated process that is:
• thorough;
• open and transparent;
• fully accessible to the public.
On both sides of the border, this coordinated process will:
• enable joint selection of a recommended river crossing that meets environmental requirements;
• ensure environmental concerns and community impacts are addressed.
Environmental Assessment – A Coordinated Approach
TIME
Steps in Evaluation Process
Aug ‘05Jan ‘06
Jan ‘07
Spring ‘08
AMOUNT OFANALYSIS
NUMBER OFALTERNATIVES
AssessIllustrative
Alternatives& IdentifyPractical
Alternatives
AssessIllustrative
Alternatives& IdentifyPractical
Alternatives
Purpose of theUndertaking,
Assess PlanningAlternativesand DevelopIllustrative
Alternatives
Purpose of theUndertaking,
Assess PlanningAlternativesand DevelopIllustrative
Alternatives
Refine andAssess
PracticalAlternatives
Refine andAssess
PracticalAlternatives
Select TechnicallyPreferred Alternative;Refine & CompletePreliminary Design
Select TechnicallyPreferred Alternative;Refine & CompletePreliminary Design
Evaluation Process__________________
The underlying principle for the alternatives generation and evaluation process is to start with a broad perspective and become more focused/ detailed as the project progresses.
Broad Consultation Throughout The Project
THE PARTNERSHIP
CANADIANBORDER
AGENCIES
COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
GROUP
CANADIANPROJECT
TEAMEXPERTISE
CANADIANMUNICIPALCOUNCILS
MUNICIPALADVISORY
GROUP
FIRSTNATIONS
CANADIANPUBLIC
CDNREGULATORY
AGENCIES
LOCALADVISORYCOUNCIL
PRIVATESECTOR
ADVISORYGROUP
FEDERALLYRECOGNIZED
TRIBES
LOCALAGENCYGROUP
U.S. CITY COUNCILS
U.S.PROJECT
TEAMEXPERTISE
U.S.BORDER
AGENCIES
U.S.PUBLIC
U.S.REGULATORY
AGENCIES
CROSSINGOWNERS
OPERATORSPROPONENTS
Developed Initial Set of Crossing Alternatives, Plaza Locations & Connecting Routes in Canada and the U.S.
Defined Area of Continued Analysis Presented Specific Crossing, Plaza and Access Road Options
Presented Preliminary Results of Social, Economic, Environmental and Engineering Assessments Identify Preferred Crossing Location, Plaza Locations & Connecting Routes in Canada and the U.S. (SPRING 2008)
Finalize Engineering and Mitigation Measures
Document Study and Submit for Approvals
Environmental Assessment Key Study Activities
• The Canadian DRIC team faces a distinct challenge – to extend the existing Highway 401 to the new border crossing.
New six-lane highway, approximately 8 km in length Several alternatives considered; at-grade, below grade, tunneled, ‘Parkway’.
• Goal is to improve quality of life, take trucks off city streets, and
improve movement of traffic across the border.
• All access road alternatives, as well as plaza and crossing
alternatives, will be evaluated against seven factors.
An End-to-End Solution
Evaluation Factors
Changes to Air Quality
Protection of Community and Neighborhood Characteristics
Consistency with Existing & Planned Land Use
Protection of Cultural Resources
Protection of Natural Environment
Improvements to Regional Mobility
Cost and Constructability
Access Road Alternatives
1A One-way service roads on either side of 6-lane freeway at grade.
1B One-way service roads either side of 6-lane freeway below-grade.
2A Six-lane freeway at grade, along side Huron Church/Highway 3.
2B Six-lane freeway below-grade, parallel to Huron Church/Highway 3.
3 Cut and cover tunnel below rebuilt Huron Church Road/Highway 3 Corridor.
• Addresses the future transportation and mobility needs of the region
• Responds to local concerns -
Covered sections of highway (short tunnels) at 10 locations to improve community connections across the corridor
Landscaping to reduce visual impacts
Recreational trails for pedestrians and bicycles along and across the corridor
Opportunities for gateway entrance features to Canada, Ontario, Windsor/Essex County
Parkway Option
Next Steps
• Continue to consult with the public
• Complete the technical and environmental studies
• Present a single technically and environmentally preferred alternative
Spring 2008
• Submit final study documents to approving agencies
DRIC Project TimelineDRIC Project Timeline
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
EA/EIS Review& Approval
EA/EIS Review& Approval
NEWCROSSING
2013
NEWCROSSING
2013
LandAcquisition
LandAcquisition
Technically andEnvironmentally Preferred
Alternative SelectedSpring 2008
Technically andEnvironmentally Preferred
Alternative SelectedSpring 2008
Detroit RiverInternational Crossing
Route Planning andEnvironmental Assessment (EA) / Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS)
Detroit RiverInternational Crossing
Route Planning andEnvironmental Assessment (EA) / Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS)
ENGINEERING / CONSTRUCTIONENGINEERING / CONSTRUCTION
Contacts
Mohammed AlghurabiSenior Project ManagerMichigan Department
of Transportation
(517) [email protected]
Sean O’DellExecutive Director
Windsor Gateway ProjectTransport Canada
(613) [email protected]