DRIC History
The Detroit River International Crossing Study is being conducted by the Canada-U.S.-Ontario-Michigan Border Transportation Partnership (the Partnership), which consists of the following:
- U.S. Federal Highway Administration
- Transport Canada
- Ontario Ministry of Transportation
- Michigan Department of Transportation
The following chronological information is taken from the Presentation Boards Handout Package from the DRIC Public Information Open House #5 and can be found online at www.partnershipborderstudy.com
Submitted Terms of Reference, May 2004
Study Process:
- An Ontario Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference, outlining the process for the Detroit River International Study, was prepared by the Partnership.
Consultation:
- Public Information Open House, June 2003
- Meetings with private sector and agencies
- Meetings with Municipalities (Sarnia, Windsor, LaSalle, Essex County, Tecumseh, Amherstburg)
- MOE Approval, September 2004
Initiated Environmental Assessment, January 2005
Study Process:
- Coordinate the U.S. and Canadian work programs.
- Investigate engineering, social, economic, cultural and natural environment.
- Present assessment of impacts for public review.
- Incorporate public and agency input.
Consultation
- Public Information Open Houses scheduled at study milestones
- Meetings with public, private sector and agencies throughout the study.
- Community Consultation Group formed.
Developed Illustrative Crossing, Plaza Locations & Connecting Route Alternatives in Canada and the U.S., Summer 2005
Study Process
- Developed initial set of alternatives based on public, agency and municipal input, Guiding Principles and recommendations made by other studies.
- Identified sensitive community features.
- Sought public input on the level of importance of each evaluation factor.
Consultation
- Initial Public Outreach, April 2005
- Workshops
- Tours of Detroit River area
- Meetings with public, private sector municipalities and agencies
- Public Information Open House 1,June 2005
Identified Area of Continued Analysis, Fall 2005
Study Process:
- Based on the assessment of Illustrative Alternatives, Area of Continued Analysis was identified.
- Assessment considered Specialists Evaluation and public input to level of importance of Evaluation Factors.
- At-grade and below-grade alternatives considered.
Consultation
- Workshops
- Tours of Detroit River area
- Meetings with public, private sector municipalities and agencies
- Public Information Open House 2, November 2005
Identified Practical Crossing, Plaza and Access Road Alternatives, Spring 2006
Study Process
- Established Guiding Principles in generating practical alternatives.
- Specific options generated based on community objectives, public, agency, municipal and specialists input.
Consultation
- Public Workshops to define specific options and explore Context Sensitive Solutions.
- Tours of Detroit River area.
- Meetings with public, private sector municipalities and agencies.
- Public Information Open House 3, March 2006.
Present Preliminary Analysis of Practical Alternatives, December 2006
Study Process
- Study Team sought and gathered information on key community features.
- Field data, modeling, design work and secondary source info, incorporated in analysis of impacts and benefits.
- Compile all analysis data.
Consultation
- Context Sensitive Solutions Workshops
- Tours of Detroit River area
- Workshops
- Meetings with public, private sector municipalities and agencies
- Public Information Open House 4, December 2006
Update of Preliminary Analysis of Practical Alternatives, August 2007
Study Process
- Used knowledge gained from analysis of original practical alternatives and community input to develop the Parkway alternative.
- Continued with foundation investigations for the plaza and crossing alternatives.
- Compiled data, finalize and present analysis to public.
Consultation
- Meetings with public, private sector municipalities and agencies
- Public Information Open House 5, August 2007