Highway work diverts border traffic away from bridge

UPDATE version:

WINDSOR, Ont. — The Windsor-Detroit tunnel seems to be the beneficiary of the closure to a stretch of I-75 in Detroit, according to a report in the Windsor Star.

The Ambassador Bridge is not closed, but it appears some travelers believe they can avoid construction-related delays by going through the tunnel instead.

Ambassador President Dan Stamper told TodaysTrucking.com that traffic is still moving reasonably well across the bridge. “The good news is that there are many other roads in the (city) leading to and from the bridge.’

Statistics released by the tunnel commission show that there has been a noticeable increase in traffic since the Michigan Dept. of Transportation shut down I-75 from Rosa Parks Blvd. to Clark Street.

According to the report, without the extra vehicles, traffic numbers would be down five percent compared to 2007.

The Gateway Project, which includes reconstructing I-75 and I-96 freeways and creating a new interchange for the bridge, lays down the infrastructure for the privately owned Ambassador’s own project to build a new six-lane twin span across the Detroit River.

Parts of I-75 near the bridge are expected to be closed for construction for the next two years.

— with files from the windsor Star