The Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority has agreed to only a partial closure of Sandwich Street during a construction project this fall.
This week, Windsor-West representatives raised alarm bells over plans to close the street entirely for eight weeks between Ojibway Parkway and Chappell Avenue.
Now, the construction project will take 14 weeks to complete but will allow some traffic to move through the construction zone.
"I am feeling elated, I'm feeling that they are hearing the community's concerns," said Ward 2 Councillor Fabio Costante.
Despite making efforts to keep Sandwich Street partially open, there will be a detour in place. Passenger vehicles and trucks will be detoured on Prince Road to Tecumseh Road. However, trucking companies will be asked to use a modified detour route along College Avenue to Huron Church Road to reduce the truck traffic in the residential neighbourhoods.
"WDBA and Bridging North America are part of the Sandwich community, and we want to do what is best for both the community and the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. We appreciate the feedback we receive and the active participation of the community. We recognize the impacts of construction and appreciate the residents’ and business owners’ patience and understanding as we advance this project,” said Charl van Niekerk, the new Chief executive Officer of the WDBA.
The WDBA have agreed to placing radar speeds signs. The City of Windsor will be paying additional crossing guards at key intersections for schools in the neighbourhood.
"I'm very pleased, and there's no hard feelings," said Windsor-West MP Brian Masse. "We had to have some awful meetings and awful discussions but they are getting a result that is something we can build upon and that is what we do moving forward."
The second phase of the Sandwich Street reconstruction will be completed next year.
