WINDSOR, Ont. — The environmental lawyer for the City of Windsor is blasting the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) study team for what he claims are "numerous inconsistencies and errors" in its environmental assessment for the proposed truck route and plaza leading to a new bridge crossing in Windsor, Ont. 

The City’s lawyer David Estrin released to the media portions of a Ministry of the Environment (MOE) memo that expresses some concern with the so-called Windsor-Essex Parkway. 

The City, which has spent the last two years promoting its alternate GreenLink solution, says the Parkway doesn’t offer enough green space and protection from noise and pollution. It has even threatened to sue the province for not properly considering its preferred plan. 

The Parkway is green, but not green
enough for Windsor City hall’s liking

The transport ministry-backed DRIC team, however, says it stands by its conclusions that the Essex Parkway "in no way contributes to any increased human health risk factors that would worsen existing conditions." The team goes on to say they have promptly responded to the MOE’s memo and clarified any outstanding issues.

"We trust that this will aid in their review. Additional documentation is being prepared to specifically address the comments of MOE. This is a normal part of an environment assessment process," DRIC stated in a press release.

In email correspondence obtained by todaystrucking.com, a DRIC official says the City also obtained DRIC’s "detailed response," but it was "disingenuous" to only release the critical aspects of the memo while ignoring DRIC’s rebuttal.

In its assessment, DRIC determined that:

There are no additional short or long term human health risks for sulphur dioxide; the recommended plan results in lower nitrous oxide and small particulate matter-related risks in comparison to a "no-build" scenario.

Also, the increased traffic from the recommended plan is offset by the decrease in idling from current bottlenecked routes.