Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction is underway on a $32.5-million expansion and modernization of Transit Windsor’s primary operations facility.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie and representatives from the City of Windsor and Transit Windsor marked the official groundbreaking for the Transit Centre Garage Expansion project at 3700 North Service Road East.
“Today’s groundbreaking marks the beginning of a transformative investment in Transit Windsor’s future,” Dowie said. “Modernizing the Transit Windsor garage will improve efficiency, support transit growth, and help ensure residents can count on safe, reliable public transportation as our community continues to grow.”
The project is the latest phase of a broader, multi-phase program to modernize the facility. About $39.3 million has been approved for Transit Centre improvements, with several upgrades already completed.
Oscar Construction Company Limited is the general contractor for the garage expansion. The City of Windsor awarded the Oldcastle-based contractor a $25.5-million contract for the work in August.
The project will add about 46,000 square feet to the facility, expanding bus storage and maintenance areas. Work also includes upgrades to building systems and bus service bays, replacement of the bus wash and vehicle fuelling systems, and replacement of the parking lot, sidewalks and laneways.
Other improvements include site lighting and control upgrades, electrical service and distribution work, landscaping and site restoration, and new gates and fencing.
The project is being funded through contributions from all three levels of government. The federal government is providing $15.3 million, Ontario is contributing $12.7 million through the Public Transit stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, and the City of Windsor is contributing $11.3 million.
Construction will be phased to allow Transit Windsor to continue operating while the work is underway, minimizing impacts on riders and maintaining transit service.
“Investing in infrastructure like this garage expansion provides communities with the proper infrastructure to support their growth and public transit needs,” said Gregor Robertson, federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure. “Expanding the bus storage bays, upgrading the building systems, and the overall improvements to the garage will ultimately improve the public transit system, creating a safer, more reliable and efficient way to travel around Windsor.”
New West End and East End transit terminals and an upcoming Umo fare management system.
The garage expansion is part of more than $100 million in funding supporting Transit Windsor infrastructure improvements.
The broader program includes investments in infrastructure, new routes and service enhancements, and technology upgrades intended to support Transit Windsor’s current operations and future service requirements.
“Today marks a major milestone for the transformational Transit Windsor Garage Expansion Project, representing the latest of Council’s significant investments in Windsor’s public transit system, services, and infrastructure,” Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a statement. “Together, these projects speak to the larger work of true city-building, with the city and upper levels of government investing to better connect residents to neighbourhoods, districts, jobs, education, healthcare, events, and the essential services that help everyone participate fully in the life of our city.
“Since 2022 alone, we’ve invested in infrastructure, new routes and service enhancements, updated technology, and more for our transit system, and we have much more on the way.”
