Improvements to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Canadian Plaza are officially complete, thanks to a joint investment of $35-million from the Governments of Canada and Ontario. The completion concludes a series of construction projects announced under the Let’s Get Windsor-Essex Moving (LGWEM) strategy in 2004.

“The Government of Canada continues its unprecedented investment in border infrastructure,” says Jeff Watson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Member of Parliament for Essex. “The improvements to the Canadian plaza of the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel will improve efficiency at this critical border crossing and contribute to the economic well-being of Windsor, the region and the province.”

Changes to the Canadian plaza, carried out by Coco Paving Inc., include new vehicle access lanes, Canada Border Services Agency buildings, tunnel maintenance buildings, inspection booths, and reconfigured duty-free parking lots, municipal parking lots and intersections. Through these upgrades, which began in September 2012, the federal and provincial governments hope to accommodate current and future traffic volumes and encourage cross-border travelers to use the NEXUS program.

“As a gateway to and from Canada and the busiest border city in the country, Windsor plays a key role in the economics and trade of our nation,” says Drew Dilkens, Mayor of Windsor. “Our partners at the federal and provincial levels have recognized this, and I want to thank them for investing significant dollars and resources to ensure our new tunnel plaza is efficient, secure and attractive for all who use it.”