Premier visits as province moves ahead on Highway 3 widening

Premier Doug Ford visited the region on Monday, March 11, along with Ontario’s Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria and Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy.

The trio was on hand in Kingsville Monday morning to announce the start of the next phase of Highway 3 being widened from just east of Essex to just west of Leamington.

The phase will include 15.6 kilometres from the Arner Townline to just west of county Rd. 31 and will encompass the widening of five existing intersections, the addition of traffic signals to three other intersections and resurfacing existing lanes.

The Premier also announced a $50 million contribution to new interchanges on the EC Row Expressway at Banwell Road, joining the previously announced interchange at Lauzon Parkway — both to help with traffic leading to the new battery plant and eventually, the new regional hospital.

“By widening Highway 3 and building the Banwell and Lauzon Parkway interchanges, we’re building the transportation infrastructure needed to tackle gridlock and support the region’s growing economy,” said Premier Ford. “While previous governments ignored the province’s infrastructure needs, we’re getting it done for Windsor-Essex by getting shovels in the ground as part of our $28 billion plan to build roads and highways.”

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is proud to deliver game-changing projects that will get drivers in Windsor-Essex where they need to go, faster than ever,” said Minister Sarkaria. “We will continue to invest in infrastructure that creates meaningful jobs and saves families and businesses time and money.”

Preliminary preparations have begun along Highway 3 with the removal of trees along the highway in recent days.