$3.6-Million Investment Creates 6.7 Kilometres of New Cycling Trails in Windsor
Project Completes 42.5-Kilometre Windsor Loop
Mayor Drew Dilkens was joined today by Ward 9 Councillor Kieran McKenzie, Ward 8 Councillor Gary Kaschak, and senior members of City of Windsor administration to announce the opening of the full length of the $2.7-million Rhodes Drive Multi-Use trail.
“The Rhodes Drive Multi-Use Trail is officially open, with $2.7 million invested to add nearly 4 kilometres of active transportation infrastructure to make cycling safer and more convenient on Windsor’s southeast side, and to help complete the 42.5-kilometreWindsor Loop. We appreciate the funding support of nearly $1.7 million from the Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling program. To keep this type of record investment going, the City’s proposed 2022 budget looks to commit about $11 million more for active transportation projects, cycling, trails, and sidewalks.”
City of Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens
The Rhodes Drive trail adds nearly 4 kilometres of active transportation infrastructure to make cycling safer and more convenient in industrial and commercial business areas on the city’s southeast side. The trail also closes a critical gap in the Windsor Loop to offer cyclists a safe crossing over the CP Rail track at the intersection of Rhodes Drive and Jefferson Boulevard. The Windsor Loop is a 42.5-kilometre multi-use trail around the perimeter of the city that links neighbourhoods and provides cyclists with access to the Trans Canada Trail. With the exception of a few sections, a majority of the Loop is complete.
The Rhodes Drive trail is the latest and final project to be built thanks to a $3.6-million investment shared by the City and the Government of Ontario to increase commuter cycling infrastructure in Windsor. A $1,671,508 contribution through the Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling (OMCC) program, combined with a $1,934,255 investment from City Council, created 6.7 kilometres of new bike trails between 2018 and 2021.
In addition to funding the Rhodes Drive Multi-Use Trail, the combined OMCC and council investment also financed the construction of the following:
- 1.1 kilometres of new separated multi-use trail on the west side of Ojibway Parkway, from Weaver Road to Morton Drive, leading to improved and safer travel between Windsor and the town of LaSalle (2018).
- 1.6 kilometres of dedicated buffered bike lanes on Totten Street, creating an east-west route between Hillcrest Boulevard and South Cameron Boulevard that links Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH), HDGH Transit Windsor Terminal and two elementary schools (2019).
This new infrastructure contributes to the 21 kilometres of multi-use trails that the City has built over the past five years, bringing the total length of multi-use trails to 156 kilometres and total bike lanes to more than 100 kilometres to date.
The City’s 2022 proposed budget invests about $1.7 billion in public infrastructure renewal over the next decade, including about $11 million more for active transportation projects, cycling, trails, and sidewalks to make our city easier, safer and more inviting for residents of all ages and abilities. These investments are Delivering Results while respecting taxpayers and raising the quality of life for residents