$38 million for Ojibway wildlife overpass
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A wildlife overpass over the west end’s Ojibway Parkway and ETR train tracks would cost $38 million. The next step is a 30-day review period for a completed environmental study. Study funding is coming partly from the Gordie Howe Bridge’s community benefits plan. The “ecological” overpass would allow wildlife to cross between two natural areas on either side of the Parkway/ETR tracks - the Black Oak Heritage Park on the west and Ojibway Park on the east. “This objective further supported goals of reducing wildlife mortality and increasing driver safety for the heavily travelled Ojibway Parkway corridor that sees approximately 20,000 vehicles per day,” a city report says. An engineering consultant prepared four location options, the best being a span that crosses south of Broadway St. It would also include a landscaped bridge. The overpass would be 50 metres wide, the “large width” to meet “the movement needs of a broad spectrum of wildlife - large and small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.” As well, “microhabitat features and vegetation placement will be designed to enhance crossings by bats, birds, invertebrates, and plants.” No humans will be allowed to use it. The cost would be $38 million in today’s dollars. Some private property would have to be acquired. The Gordie Howe Bridge authority is paying $250,000 towards the study and Parks Canada is kicking in $150,000 for a total of $400,000. No decision has been made to move forward with actual construction. The report says the intent is to seek funding “from environmental organizations, provincial and federal levels of government” with the balance from the city.
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