WINDSOR, Ont.– Construction on the Walker Road-CPR grade separation is now complete, and the roadway is open to traffic.

The $50-million construction project was designed to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow for tens of thousands of travellers in Windsor-Essex, according to Transport Canada.

Walker Road was closed in August 2007 for construction of the main grade separation project. With the reopening, over 30,000 drivers in Windsor-Essex now have a direct north-south route no longer interrupted by trains, states Transport Canada.

The Walker Road-CPR grade separation project, was jointly funded by the federal and provincial government under the “Let’s Get Windsor-Essex Moving” strategy, a $300-million commitment for several transportation infrastructure projects that is intended to improve efficiency and reduce congestion in the area. Funding for this strategy comes from the Canada-Ontario Border Infrastructure Fund.

“This project will help reduce local traffic congestion and enhance the flow of trucks across the Canada-US border,” said Jeff Watson, MP for Essex. “Projects such as this support the continued growth of the economies of Windsor and Essex County, Ontario and Canada.”

Three levels of government worked together to get this project finished ahead of schedule, said Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis. “The patience and understanding shown by residents and businesses during construction will now be rewarded for years to come, with significantly improved infrastructure and traffic flow along this critical north-south corridor,” he added.

In addition to the Walker Road-CPR grade separation project, construction is continuing on the widening of Essex County Road 22, and the widening of Highway 401 between Highway 3 and Manning Road.