Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction is moving ahead on a $32.5-million expansion and modernization of Transit Windsor’s primary operations facility, part of a broader $39.3-million investment in the city’s public transit infrastructure.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie and city and transit officials marked the groundbreaking at the Transit Centre at 3700 North Service Rd. E.
The project is funded through the federal and provincial governments’ Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), with $15.3 million from the federal government, $12.7 million from Ontario and $11.3 million from the City of Windsor.
The expansion includes approximately 46,000 sq. ft. of additions to increase bus storage capacity and expand maintenance areas.
Work also includes upgrades to building systems and bus service bays, replacement of the bus wash and vehicle fueling systems, and improvements to electrical service and distribution.
The project also covers the replacement of parking lots, sidewalks and laneways, upgrades to site lighting and controls, installation of new gates and fencing, and landscaping and site restoration.
Construction will be phased to allow Transit Windsor to continue operating while the improvements are completed, minimizing disruptions to riders.
“Today’s groundbreaking marks the beginning of a transformative investment in Transit Windsor’s future. 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,” said Dowie.
Federal Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson said the project will help Windsor accommodate population growth and increasing demand for public transit.
“Investing in infrastructure like this garage expansion provides communities with the proper infrastructure to support their growth and public transit needs. 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.”
Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said the province is investing nearly $70 billion in public transit projects.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is investing nearly $70 billion in public transit projects to ensure Ontarians have a fast, reliable way to get where they’re going each day, no matter where they live. The newly expanded Transit Centre Garage will support future service needs in one of Ontario’s fastest-growing cities, keeping families and businesses moving across Windsor for years to come.”
Dilkens said the garage expansion is part of a broader municipal effort to improve transit services, infrastructure and technology.
“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. Public transit is a core municipal service. As part of the 2026 City of Windsor Budget, $5.5 million was approved to support capital investments in public transit. Recent announcements for the new West End and East End terminals, the upcoming new Umo fare management system, and today’s groundbreaking for the Garage Expansion project represent over $50 million worth of investment in public transit in our city. 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. Our careful and strategic planning, along with our commitment to investing responsibly, is helping protect affordability while continuing to invest in the infrastructure, services, and amenities our growing city needs. Thanks once again to our federal and provincial government partners for their continued investments in our community, and to our project’s design and construction partners who will be working to bring this vision to life.”
Jelena Payne, the city’s deputy chief administrative officer and commissioner of economic development, said the facility is central to Transit Windsor’s operations.
“The Transit Centre Garage is the operational hub that supports transit services across our community. This expansion will modernize the facility, improve operational efficiency, and help ensure Transit Windsor is well-positioned to meet future service needs. We are grateful to the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, Mayor Dilkens, and City Council for their continued investment in public transit and the infrastructure that helps residents stay connected to employment, education, healthcare, and their community.”
According to the city, the garage expansion is part of more than $100 million in funding supporting Transit Windsor infrastructure improvements.
Other initiatives include plans for new transit terminals in Windsor’s west and east ends and the introduction of the Umo fare management system.
