City seeks input on plans to reduce Ojibway Parkway wildlife collisions

The city has launched a public consultation process to determine how best to deal with wildlife crossing Ojibway Parkway.

The city is reviewing the best ways to help wildlife and species at risk cross the busy roadway between parcels of ecologically sensitive habitats.

A virtual public information consultation is underway to explore an ecological connection between Black Oak Heritage Park and Ojibway Park between Broadway Street and Sprucewood Avenue.

Estimates show close to 20,000 vehicles per day travel along Ojibway Parkway and E.C. Row Expressway which results in a high number of wildlife being injured or killed.

Global corporation Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions has been hired and in collaboration with city staff have come up with options:

Introducing an underpass

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Ojibway Parkway wildlife cross

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ing to help ensure safe passage;

Introducing an overpass wildlife crossing to help ensure safe passage over Ojibway Parkway;

Making no changes and main

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taining the status quo.

The Windsor-detroit Bridge Authority previously announced as part of its community benefits plan seed money for a total of $1.5 million for a wildlife overpass.

Currently, $250,000 has been approved to fund the completion of the class environmental assessment report.

“We know that as our community continues to grow, and the Gordie Howe International Bridge is completed, even more traffic will lead to more animal collisions,” Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a release.

The public is invited to take part in three information consultations, the first of which is currently underway.

The consultation is being held virtually at cityofwindsor.ca.

Conceptual designs and video are available.