Next phase of EC Row Expressway work begins Monday with lane restrictions


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The next phase in a $10-million overhaul of one of EC Row Expressway’s oldest and busiest sections begins Monday.

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The bulk of construction will be between Dominion Boulevard and Dougall Avenue, but lane restrictions will stretch from Huron Church Road to Howard Avenue.

“Residents of Ward 10 know the importance of this section of EC Row Expressway as it is highly used and provides quick and easy access across the city,” said Ward 10 Coun. Jim Morrison. “While we will all be inconvenienced, we need to continually improve our infrastructure and this council is committed to do just that with record amounts of responsible budgeted spending. Personally, I am thrilled to see the Dougall off-ramp getting the attention it needs.”

The first phase of work, on the westbound lanes, began in August 2020. The second round, originally scheduled to begin in summer 2021, will focus on the eastbound lanes.

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The expressway is a unique and vital commuter link connecting our entire city

crews will use a “crossover” to shift traffic and allow it to continue flowing while keeping workers safe, the city said. They will shift traffic from the eastbound side on to an altered section of westbound lanes.

Eastbound traffic on EC Row Expressway, where the next phase of $10 million in upgrades is set to begin, is seen on Wednesday, April 6, 2022.
Eastbound traffic on EC Row Expressway, where the next phase of $10 million in upgrades is set to begin, is seen on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Photo by Dax Melmer /Windsor Star

Crews will remove four layers of the original road in the eastbound lanes, including the cracked pavement, concrete, stone and sub-base. They will then refill and top the lanes with new asphalt.

The project, with a total cost of $10 million, is city council’s biggest investment in reconstruction of the expressway since Windsor took ownership of it from the province in 1997.

At peak commuting times, up to 75,000 vehicles travel the 15.4 km expressway in each direction.

“The expressway is a unique and vital commuter link connecting our entire city,” said Mayor Drew Dilkens. “My council colleagues and I have committed the funding necessary to ensure it is renewed to smooth commutes and increase safety.”

Eastbound traffic on EC Row Expressway, where the next phase of $10 million in upgrades is set to begin, is seen on Wednesday, April 6, 2022.
Eastbound traffic on EC Row Expressway, where the next phase of $10 million in upgrades is set to begin, is seen on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Photo by Dax Melmer /Windsor Star


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