Essex County Makes Latest Push for Provincial Support on $105 Million Overpass Project
Essex County officials have intensified their efforts to secure crucial provincial funding for a major infrastructure project that would transform one of the region's most congested intersections. Warden Hilda MacDonald and county administrators recently presented their case for a $105 million overpass during meetings at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference in Toronto.
The Critical Intersection at County Road 22 and Manning Road
The proposed "grade-separated" interchange would be constructed at the intersection of County Road 22 (the eastern extension of E.C. Row Expressway) and County Road 19 (Manning Road) south of Saint Clair Beach in Tecumseh. This location has been identified as one of the busiest and most problematic intersections in Essex County, currently serviced by traffic signals that create significant delays.
According to county officials, the intersection experiences extremely high traffic volumes that are expected to grow substantially with pending regional development. Ontario Provincial Police have documented numerous accidents at this location, highlighting safety concerns that accompany the congestion issues.
Funding Breakdown and Economic Justification
The total project cost is estimated at $105 million, with Essex County requesting $60 million in provincial funding through the Ministry of Transportation. The county has committed to covering the remaining $45 million required for construction.
This infrastructure investment is positioned as critical for supporting what officials describe as "a crucial economic corridor" connecting multiple significant developments. The corridor services the new $6-billion NextStar Energy Battery plant located approximately 3.5 kilometres west of the intersection, which is expected to employ about 2,500 people when fully operational.
Additionally, the proposed Fancsy Family Hospital, originally budgeted at more than $2 billion, will be situated about 7.6 kilometres southeast of the intersection. Construction on the healthcare facility is anticipated to begin early this year.
Addressing Residential Growth and Development Pressures
The infrastructure project also responds to substantial residential growth expected in the region. Approximately 2,600 hectares (6,400 acres) of Sandwich South lands located south of Windsor International Airport are slated for development, which county officials believe will address a significant portion of the province's target of 13,000 new homes in the Windsor area by 2031.
"Gridlock at this increasingly congested intersection frustrates area residents and threatens to impede economic development and the construction of new homes," the county stated in a recent news release. "We need to make it efficient and we need to make it safe."
Multiple Presentations and Positive Feedback
This week's meeting with Ric Bresee, parliamentary assistant to Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, marked the fifth time county officials have presented the intersection project to ministry representatives. Warden MacDonald expressed optimism following the discussions, noting that the feedback received was positive.
"We did feel positive about the feedback that we got from them," MacDonald told reporters. "So here's hoping that they will consider us a partner and step up."
The intersection itself presents complex traffic management challenges, with seven lanes at its widest point and additional turnoff lanes in various directions approaching the intersection. County officials emphasize that current traffic signals cannot adequately handle existing volumes, let alone the increased traffic expected from new industrial, healthcare, and residential developments.
As Essex County continues its advocacy efforts, the proposed overpass represents a significant infrastructure investment that officials believe will enhance safety, reduce congestion, and support the region's economic growth for decades to come.
