Robin MacLennan
Ontario Construction Report staff writer
Construction is set to begin on the Prince Road storm sewer outlet in the City of Windsor.
Awarded to SheaRock Construction Group, the project will cost $7.9-million and be completed by November 2025.
“The upcoming construction to complete the Prince Road Storm Sewer Outlet represents a multi-phase, multi-year critical stormwater infrastructure investment to keep residents safe and properties protected from flooding,” said Mayor Drew Dilkens. “Responding to past severe flooding events . . . city council will continue Investing in Growth and Building Windsor’s Future by prioritizing these key stormwater projects across the city.”
Work is part of a larger multi-phase, multi-year project and will extend the current Prince Road trunk westerly along Chappell Avenue, crossing Essex Terminal Raily (ETR) rail and continuing through the southern part of 3800 Russell Street to a new outlet chamber and pumping station at McKee Creek.
This project has made critical storm and sewer infrastructure upgrades to relieve local street and basement flooding for a service area of 390 hectares, benefiting approximately 3,500 residential and business properties. Over the last 25 years, the City has spent approximately $15 million on improvements.
Following severe flooding events in 2016 and 2017, the Sewer and Coastal Flood Protection Master Plan (SMP) was completed in 2020 to help the City understand the causes of local flooding, evaluate short-term and long-term solutions, and complete preliminary design and cost estimates for drainage improvements.
“The City of Windsor’s Prince Road Storm Sewer Project is a perfect example of long-term investment in critical stormwater infrastructure that will keep communities safe,” said Councillor Fabio Costante.
For local Sandwich residents, this project and the completion of this outlet will ensure that our community is ready for ever more frequent severe weather events.”
During 2024, the city will spend about $61.4 million on sewer and stormwater upgrades, which is part of a 10-year capital plan approved in last year’s capital budget to invest $1.9 billion to sustain the city’s future growth and development.