Sandwich Street reconstruction and $1 Million streetscape enhancement
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As part of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, just over three kilometres of Sandwich Street will be reconstructed by Bridging North America (BNA). Sandwich Street reconstruction will stretch from south of the Rosedale Avenue roundabout past Ojibway Parkway to McKee Avenue. This work will be undertaken in a phased approach that started in September 2023 with the goal of achieving full completion in 2024. Once complete, the City of Windsor will be responsible for maintaining the street.
The Sandwich Street reconstruction activities will take place in three phases.
Phase 1 – Anticipated to begin in March 18, 2024
Phase One will include Sandwich Street from the Perimeter Access Road surrounding the Canadian Port of Entry to the Ojibway Parkway intersection. This will include re-paving of the roadway, installation of a storm sewer, ditch filling and construction of an asphalt multi-use path, which will eventually connect into the Canadian Port of Entry.
Phase 2 – Began September 2023
From September to December 2023, Bridging North America closed southbound Sandwich Street between Ojibway Parkway and Chappell Avenue, leaving one lane of northbound traffic while construction took place. The closure lasted 13 weeks and the road was reopened on December 8, 2023. Work completed included re-paving of the roadway, sidewalk installation and construction of an asphalt multi-use path (deferred to spring due to weather).
Anticipated to occur in spring 2024, the next stage of work for this phase includes Sandwich Street between the Essex Terminal Railway easement (ETR) tracks and Ojibway Parkway. Work will include removal of old concrete and reinstallation of pavement, curbs, sidewalks, driveway aprons, etc. and installations of a granular base and asphalt pavement for the multi-use trail.
Phase 3 – Scheduled to begin in 2024
Phase Three includes Sandwich Street from Chappell Avenue to Chewett Street, just south of the Rosedale Avenue roundabout and includes asphalt paving and sidewalks.
Phase 1 Activities
Anticipated to start March 18 2024, Bridging North America will temporarily close Sandwich Street between McKee Road and the intersection of Ojibway Parkway and Sandwich Street.
This closure will be in place for approximately 12 weeks. This closure will allow for crews to construct storm sewer, infill ditches and install the concrete pavement, curbs, sidewalks, driveway aprons, etc. as well as the asphalt pavement for Multi-use Trail.
Detour routes are as follows:
- Sandwich Street southbound traffic will continue southbound on Ojibway Parkway, past the intersection with E.C. Row Expressway, and turn west on Broadway Street.
- Traffic on E.C. Row Expressway and Ojibway Parkway will be directed to go west on Broadway Street.
Access to adjacent businesses will be maintained.
Measures are being taken to minimize the impact of construction in accordance with the commitments in the approved Environmental Assessment Report and Federal Screening Report in Canada. Construction mitigation measures include:
Vibration monitoring:
With any major construction activity, the use of heavy machinery may cause noise and vibration above existing levels and beyond the project footprint. The Gordie Howe International Bridge project team understands the concern that those living and working adjacent to the construction areas have regarding noise and vibration and make every effort to reduce impacts to residents.
BNA has undertaken a review of upcoming construction activities along Sandwich Street and identified structures that fall within a potential Zone of Influence based on the work to be completed and the building type in the vicinity of the work area. The Zone of Influence ranges from 6.1m for commercial structures to 7.9m for residential structures and 11.1m for historical structures.
BNA is offering free vibration monitoring for structures located within the Zone of Influence that may experience high vibration activities associated with the construction along Sandwich Street.
While property owners may experience some vibrations from construction, this does not indicate that damage has occurred. Damage will be identified through the use of pre and post construction surveys. BNA will provide free pre-construction surveys and vibration monitoring to property owners located within the Zone of Influence.
Although BNA doesn’t anticipate any damage to properties, vibration monitoring helps determine the current condition of structures and shows if construction activities adversely impact them during the course of construction.
Eligible homeowners/occupants will be required to opt into the program by March 8, 2024. Pre-construction surveys are used to establish the condition of existing structures within close proximity of construction activities. Property owners participating in the vibration monitoring process will be notified if any damages are noted based on the post-construction survey.
Only properties that fall within the identified Zone of Influence are eligible for the Vibration Monitoring Program. This is due to the high unlikelihood of vibration beyond the Zone of Influence to cause any damage, despite any physical vibrations felt while the work occurs.
View frequently asked questions.
Vibration Monitoring Steps
BNA will directly contact owners of properties identified within the Zone of Influence. Owners of properties that are not located within this area will not be contacted.
Property owners who wish to participate in the program are required to complete, sign and return a Property Owner Authorization Form to BNA.
In cases where the owner agrees to participate in the vibration monitoring program but does not occupy the property, the occupant needs to complete and sign an Occupant Authorization Form, then return it to BNA.
Once authorizations are in place, BNA will work with the property owner to schedule an initial survey used to determine the condition of the property prior to the start of construction. (In cases where someone other than the owner occupies the property, BNA will work with both the owner and occupant to schedule an appointment for the initial property survey.)
Once construction in a particular area is complete, BNA will return a third time to assess for any changes from the initial visit.
Generally speaking, vibration equipment will not be installed on participants’ private properties. BNA installs vibration monitoring equipment throughout the construction zones to measure vibration for all potentially impacted properties.
BNA will not enter properties without an appointment and personnel will be easily identifiable with identification (ID) cards. The vibration monitoring process is free of charge and will not damage properties.
If construction-related damage occurs to a property that is participating in the vibration monitoring program, BNA will work with the property owner to assess the cause and extent of the damages.
Owners of identified properties with questions about the vibration monitoring program can call the project team at 1-844-322-1773 or send an email to info [at] wdbridge.com
Dust control:
Bridging North America will minimize dust during construction by:
- conducting ongoing dust monitoring,
- regular road sweeping and watering,
- use of tarps for material transport, and
- assessment and accommodation of activities during periods of high winds, as needed.
Noise control:
Construction equipment will be well maintained, and all efforts will be used to reduce noise during the construction period.
As part of the project’s Community Benefit’s Plan, the project will invest an additional $1 million to further enhance the Sandwich Business Improvement Area.
During the month of February 2022, the project team collected community feedback through a survey to help prioritize how the $1 million should be invested.
Survey respondents were asked to rank these four categories of investment areas:
* Photos are illustrative examples only and do not reflect actual design
Next Steps
The project team is reviewing the responses to identify the areas most prioritized by the community. While the overall street design will include features from all four investment categories, additional funding will focus on those areas most important to the community.
The project team will work with the City of Windsor to ensure their approval of designs, which are anticipated to be publicly shared in 2023. Construction of the BIA district is anticipated for 2023.
To help keep the community informed on activities planned for Sandwich Street, the project team will provide weekly email updates.