WINDSOR, (May 27, 2005) — The Ontario Liberal government officially committed cash for a truck bypass route in Windsor Ont. yesterday — and apparently also promised an additional $500 million for the traffic-jammed border town.

As Today’s Trucking reported last month, the McGuinty government backed a proposal drafted by New York City traffic expert Sam Schwartz for the City of Windsor. Ontario Minister of Infrastructure David Caplan confirmed that the province will fork over the $300 million it promised for an environmental assessment and construction of the truck bypass — which Schwartz proposes would “horseshoe” around the overwhelmed Huron Church Rd. en route to a potential new river crossing into Detroit.

But the Windsor Star reported yesterday that Caplan upped the ante at the surprise announcement in Windsor. The newspaper said Caplan committed an additional $500 million for infrastructure and road improvements for the city. He could not say how the money would be spent, but did add that it wouldn’t come until after 2010.

Today, however, Caplan apologized for spilling the $500 million “secrete.” The Star reports that the closed-door decision for the additional cash was not supposed to be announced as it was yesterday.

Some Windsor city officials and citizens want more transparency in regard to the $500 million. Others are skeptical of the funding schedule and predicted that the beleaguered border town won’t see most of the money 5 years from now.

The $800 million total for Windsor’s bridge and road improvements would be part of the $30 billion ReNew Ontario funding plan the province announced earlier this month for hospitals, schools, as well as bridge and highway infrastructure — especially on Ontario’s 400-series highways.

The government also announced $323 million for the Niagara and Sarnia border crossings and $15 million to improve access to the Sault Ste. Marie border.

Meanwhile, construction of a pedestrian overpass across Huron Church Rd. kicked-off today. The province and the feds will split the $4.3 million bill. Completion is expected by fall.

“Ontario is committed to improving the Windsor Gateway and making our roads safer for the people who live in the area,” said Windsor West MPP Sandra Pupatello. “We want to make it safer and easier for residents and students who have to cross a busy road to get to school.”

— with files from the Windsor Star