$110M Banwell Road and E.C. Row Expressway construction project underway

Update on Banwell Road Corridor and new EC Row interchange. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco explains.

City of Windsor officials say work is underway on the $110-million Banwell Road and E.C. Row Expressway interchange and corridor improvements infrastructure project.

This project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Windsor’s history and is part of about $122.2 million in improvements for the Banwell Road corridor since 2022.

Banwell’s arterial route connects established Windsor neighbourhoods with emerging communities, linking schools, parks, industries and local businesses. The full Banwell corridor currently accommodates approximately 10,000 to 17,000 vehicles per day.

“We are Building Windsor’s Future with a focus on investment, growth and sustainability,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “The Banwell projects are a major piece of the puzzle. Work on this vital arterial road will further improve access to Canada’s first electric vehicle battery plant, while also supporting supply chain businesses across Windsor as well as the new Fancsy Family Hospital.”

Once the NextStar Energy EV Battery Manufacturing Plant is fully operational, the Tecumseh Hamlet development is complete, and future development in the surrounding area occurs, the city projects traffic volumes will double north of the interchange and triple south of it.

“Our $50 million investment in the Banwell Road and E.C. Row Expressway Interchange will support Windsor’s growth, improve access to the NextStar Energy EV battery manufacturing plant, and help build a more self-reliant and competitive economy,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario Minister of Transportation.

In 2025, city council approved a $2.24-billion, 10-year Capital Plan that invests close to $1.34 billion on roads and sewers from 2025 to 2034. This year, the city has committed an estimated $144 million for roads and $62.7 million for sewers. This road and sewer work, which includes the Banwell Interchange and Corridor works, is focused on answering the pressing need for infrastructure improvements that will enhance safety and traffic flow.

In July 2024, City Council approved the Banwell Road/E.C. Row Interchange and Corridor Improvements Capital Works Project. The overall funding for the Banwell Interchange and Corridor project is estimated at $110.9 million, supported by $68.8 million in provincial funding.

GIP Paving Inc. is the general contractor for the project, with Dillon Consulting Limited serving as the city’s consultant on the project.

The overall project includes two components.

Component 1 – Banwell Road Overpass and Interchange at E.C. Row Expressway

Component 1 involves the construction of a new Banwell Road overpass and interchange at E.C. Row Expressway, watermain, storm sewer system, pavement, lighting and multi-use trail system. This work began the week of Sept. 15, 2025. The Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), is contributing $50 million towards the construction of the interchange. Ongoing lane restrictions are in place in order to complete works necessary to initiate this major infrastructure project. Over the next several years, the detours will vary depending on the stage of the work and will be limited as much as possible to minimize the impact on the commuting public.

Due to the scope and length of this project, city officials say it will not always be feasible to set the detours outside of rush hour, as the setups are extensive and span several kilometres of roadway. Where possible, specific works will be completed after hours and on weekends to minimize impact.

The city says work under current and recent detours is necessary to complete various project elements, including installation of temporary traffic signals, culvert installation and ditch re-alignment, shoulder and median widening, road widening with asphalt pavement, initial works on bridge abutments and center pier works, and line painting.

Component 2 – Banwell Road Corridor Improvements

Component 2includes widening Banwell Road from a two-lane rural road to a six-lane urban cross-section, starting near Mulberry Drive and continuing over the E.C. Row Expressway to Intersection Road. At that point, it will taper to four lanes, cross the CPKC railway, and merge with the widened section currently under construction by the County of Essex. This work also includes a new intersection for access to the NextStar plant site as well as the future Tecumseh Hamlet secondary planning area, watermain, storm sewer systems, stormwater management, multi-use trail, pavement and lighting.

Detailed design of the project was finalized in late 2024 and utility relocations, species at risk surveys and land acquisitions are now complete. Additionally, the overall Banwell Road corridor project also includes two other projects that are receiving funding from the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream (HECS) under the Government of Ontario’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP).

This work includes the extension of Wyandotte Street East from Banwell Road East to Jarvis Avenue, which is currently in the detailed design phase; and intersection improvements at the existing Banwell Road/McHugh Street intersection, with construction starting next week for approximately one month.

The city says these projects will help unlock more than 3,000 housing opportunities, with the province contributing $18.8 million towards the Banwell corridor project through the Ministry of Infrastructure’s MHIP-HECS program.

The current schedule for the overall project indicates most of the project will be complete in 2027, with some surface asphalt and final restoration works in 2028.