Sydney Ave. intersection opens today in Windsor

Sydney crossing, the intersection that links Howard Avenue and Division Road, opened on Tuesday.

The new intersection at Sydney Avenue that links Howard Avenue and Division Road opens Tuesday morning.

Speaking on AM800’s Mornings with Mike and Meg, Mayor Drew Dilkens said the new intersection is expected to open between 8:30 and 9 a.m.

He says the opening was delayed a bit because CN Rail had to commission their infrastructure.

“I appreciate that they came down,” said Dilkens. “They worked with us to get that done in a timely way, and it’s a $19-million project.”

He says the Howard Avenue project was a big project for the city.

“During the summer it was very, very difficult getting down Howard Avenue, and it’s really been rebuilt top to bottom, underneath, lots of sewers, and above of course, a new road,” he says.

Dilkens went on to say the new connection is needed.

“Residents will be able to get from South Windsor over to that part of Howard and to Devonshire Mall much easier,” he added. “This will relieve a huge amount of pressure; it’s a needed connection.”

Last month, the mayor said the city finished all its work on the intersection but was waiting for CN Rail to commission the rail crossing.

In October, lane restrictions came to an end along Howard Avenue and Division Road between the Roundhouse Centre-Devonshire Mall intersection and the Union Square Plaza intersection as part of the work.

At that time, the city said the Sydney Avenue intersection would be closed until at least early to mid-November.

Work started last April in the Howard corridor for the reconstruction project.