Windsor unveils $36.6 million road program, urges patience as construction season ramps up

CTV Windsor’s Sanjay Maru takes a look at auto tariffs one year later. Unifor is raising fears about what the next year could look like.

The City of Windsor is rolling out the largest road rehabilitation program in its history, with $36.6 million in roadwork planned through 2026 as part of a broader push to support growth and repair aging infrastructure.

Mayor Drew Dilkens said the work is tied to the city’s 2026 budget, which includes a 10-year, $2.26 billion capital plan and no increase to the municipal tax levy.

“We’re starting at Ward 1. This is about talking about the city budget,” Dilkens said.

“It’s the largest capital investment that city council has approved in roads and sewers and other important city infrastructure… and it’s being invested responsibly.”

The city says more than $317 million has been allocated for capital projects this year, including $163.8 million for roads alone. Officials say the work will focus largely on milling and paving — a process that removes and replaces the top layer of asphalt — extending the lifespan of roads by 10 to 15 years.

Funding for roadwork is being distributed across all nine wards, with the largest share going to Ward 2 at just under $4.7 million, followed by Ward 3 at $4.46 million.

Ward 1 is set to receive about $3.03 million, Ward 8 about $3.48 million, Ward 4 roughly $2.77 million, Ward 6 about $2.24 million, and Ward 9 just over $2.09 million.

Ward 5 is slated for $1.72 million, while Ward 7 will receive $789,550 — though Dilkens noted that figure does not reflect previously approved spending already underway in the area.

“If you want to, add 100 in front of that, there’s actually $100-plus million being built over the next couple of years in Ward 7,” he said, pointing to major projects already tendered and in progress.

Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks and ramp up through the summer, with several projects timed to limit disruptions around schools and major traffic routes.

“We really did consider the school issues, which is why a lot of these projects are starting in Ward 1 in June,” Dilkens explained.

“If we get the work done when school is out for the summer, [it helps to] have the least disruption possible.”

The city is also coordinating with neighbouring municipalities, including LaSalle, to avoid overlapping construction along key corridors.

“We try and sort these things out in a sensible way and accommodate their construction schedule with ours,” Dilkens said.

“And ultimately, we always have the residents’ interests in mind trying to get this work done and have the least impact and disruption possible.”

Major routes such as Huron Church Road and the E.C. Row Expressway are also set for upgrades this year, with work including pavement rehabilitation, ramp improvements and intersection enhancements. E.C. Row work will see $5.73 million while Huron Church Road gets over $2.2 million.

David Simpson, the city’s commissioner of infrastructure services, said the additional funding will help target roads in poorer condition while maintaining critical corridors.

“Our overall road project budget has been enhanced by $20 million this year — a 13 per cent increase,” Simpson said.

“A lot of the funding … is targeting, basically, roads that are in that poor or very poor category.”

Simpson added that more than half of Windsor’s road network is currently rated in good or very good condition, with about six per cent considered to be in very poor shape.

Despite the improvements, officials are warning drivers to prepare for delays as construction season gets underway.

“You’re going to see, like you did last year, some significant investments being put into the ground and roadwork being done,” Dilkens said.

“So just be patient… we all have to do this.”

Dilkens rejected any suggestion the timing of the investments is tied to a municipal election year, saying the spending reflects long-term planning to support development and economic growth.

“If we don’t make these types of investments, you’re going to run out of land,” he said.

“We need to always make sure that we’re in a position to support growth on the housing side, to support economic development growth, and to make sure that this region maintains its competitive nature.”