The City of Windsor announced the completion of the $13 million Phase 3 improvements of Cabana Road West, as well as to provide an update on the $13.8-million fourth phase of reconstruction to better connect the road for all.
The $26.8-million project to modernize Cabana Road West from Dougall Avenue to Highway 3 as part of Phase 3 and 4 improvements is made possible thanks to a capital investment from Windsor City Council and a contribution from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), including $939,915 from the Government of Canada and $783,184 from the Government of Ontario.
“Our vision for transforming Cabana Road into a world-class arterial roadway is now a reality, as more than 60 percent of the east-west corridor has been completely rebuilt and modernized,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “This massive infrastructure upgrade is delivering results for residents by giving travellers of all modes of transportation full access to a safe, accessible and well-connected route linking the Windsor International Airport on the east with St. Clair College and the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway on the west. These improvements will continue, as the next phase of redevelopment is already underway, getting us closer to the finish line.”
Phase 3 work was completed December 2021 and involved a full reconstruction of Cabana Road West from Dougall Avenue to Dominion Boulevard. Residents now have full access to a state-of-the-art asphalt road that was doubled to four lanes of traffic to improve flow, alleviate congestion and accommodate future growth. Other upgrades include the addition of the following:
- 1.5 kilometres of new buffered bike lanes in each direction of travel
- New, widened concrete sidewalks on both sides of the street
- Intersection improvements at Dougall and Cabana, and Dominion and Cabana
- New curbs, gutters and street lighting
- Enhanced boulevard restoration with sodding and tree planting
- Watermain upgrades
- New storm sewer installation
- Sanitary sewer rehabilitation
“We are finally getting close to reaching the end of the much-anticipated, much-needed improvements to the Cabana Road Corridor. I think I speak for all Ward 1 residents when I say we are very pleased with the impressive results so far. Cabana Road West is being transformed into a state-of-the-art road that we can all be proud of,” added Ward 1 Councillor Fred Francis.
Phase 4 will extend the Cabana Road improvements further west, from Dominion Boulevard to Highway 3. Utility relocations of gas, hydro and telecommunications infrastructure are now under way with minimal to no impact on traffic. The full Phase 4 reconstruction to expand the road from two to four lanes; widen sidewalks; build active transportation facilities; and upgrade the watermain, storm sewers, street lighting and traffic signals will begin in the spring of 2023. Detour and construction notices will be sent to residents in advance of this work starting.
The fifth and final phase of this multi-year transformational project will rebuild Cabana Road from Sixth Concession to Walker roads and is expected to begin in 2024. These improvements are part of a $46-million commitment by Council to fully modernize South Windsor’s only continuous east-west arterial roadway from Walker Road in the east to Highway 3 in the west. Cabana Road receives between 15,000 and 18,000 vehicles daily.
Council approved a progressive capital plan that invests about $1.7 billion in public infrastructure renewal over the next decade. About $510 million is earmarked for roads, including improvements totaling $47 million in 2022.
“Our federal government is proud to partner with the City of Windsor to upgrade and modernize Cabana Road. Investments in active transportation, such as 1.5 kilometres of new buffered bike lanes and widened sidewalks are essential to transforming Windsor into a healthier, more sustainable community,” said Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk.
Featured image: Work continues on the widening of Cabana Road West to four traffic lanes from Dougall Avenue to Dominion Boulevard. (City of Windsor)
