A Canadian company plans to create a truck tunnel at the Canadian border between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.
The Detroit Free Press reports that Borealis Infrastructure Management wants to convert a 100-year-old cargo train tunnel and use it for trucks, while building a new tunnel underneath or alongside for trains. Borealis owns 50 percent of the Detroit River Rail Tunnel, and has bought land around the tunnel openings to use to construct connectors to Highway 401 on the Canadian side and I-75 on the U.S. side.
The new rail tunnel could open by 2005, with a two-way truck tunnel finished by 2006. Tolls would be charged.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, 9,500 trucks cross the current crossing, the Ambassador Bridge, every day. Commercial traffic is expected to triple in the next 20 years, according to a study commissioned by Borealis. The Ambassador Bridge, which is also privately owned, has plans to add another span when traffic reaches capacity. Ambassador Bridge officials told the paper that right now, the bridge is only at 55 percent capacity.
Michigan DOT officials told the paper that while they're supportive of the plan, the question of customs officials is a big one. Customs manpower has already been short-handed at border crossings with the heightened security following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, making for long delays for trucks trying to get into the United States.
The Detroit Free Press reports that Borealis Infrastructure Management wants to convert a 100-year-old cargo train tunnel and use it for trucks, while building a new tunnel underneath or alongside for trains. Borealis owns 50 percent of the Detroit River Rail Tunnel, and has bought land around the tunnel openings to use to construct connectors to Highway 401 on the Canadian side and I-75 on the U.S. side.
The new rail tunnel could open by 2005, with a two-way truck tunnel finished by 2006. Tolls would be charged.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, 9,500 trucks cross the current crossing, the Ambassador Bridge, every day. Commercial traffic is expected to triple in the next 20 years, according to a study commissioned by Borealis. The Ambassador Bridge, which is also privately owned, has plans to add another span when traffic reaches capacity. Ambassador Bridge officials told the paper that right now, the bridge is only at 55 percent capacity.
Michigan DOT officials told the paper that while they're supportive of the plan, the question of customs officials is a big one. Customs manpower has already been short-handed at border crossings with the heightened security following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, making for long delays for trucks trying to get into the United States.
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