Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Upgrades to Cause Closures
The Windsor-Detroit Tunnel will soon be undergoing ceiling maintenance, and this will result in a series of closures beginning October 20, 2017. Drivers will want to plan ahead to avoid any inconvenience.
The tunnel construction schedule will be as follows:
- October 20 to 30: The Tunnel will be closed for 9 full days starting at 8:00pm on October 20 and reopening at 5:30am on October 30.
- October 30 to November 22: The Tunnel will be closed from 8:00pm to 5:30am each Sunday through Thursday night.
- November 23 to 26: The Tunnel will be open to traffic.
- November 27 to December 23: The Tunnel will be closed from 8:00pm to 5:30am each Sunday through Thursday night.
- December 23 to January 1, 2018: The Tunnel will be open to traffic.
- January 2 to Mid June: The Tunnel will be closed from 8:00pm to 5:30am each Sunday through Thursday night.
During non-construction hours the Tunnel will be completely restored to normal traffic operations.
When it comes to the work, a new ceiling will be constructed in the river section of the tunnel. Time has taken its toll on the surface, as the ceiling slab is over 85 years old and is showing signs of wear and tear due to moisture, road salt, exhaust, and the impact from trucks. The typical in-service life of a ceiling slab in tunnel construction is approximately 75 years, so the Windsor-Detroit tunnel has done exceptionally well and remains structurally sound, but given the age of the ceiling, the slab in the river section requires replacement.
The project is co-managed and funded by the Windsor Detroit Tunnel Corporation (owner of the Canadian section of the Tunnel) and Detroit Windsor Tunnel (the Tunnel’s operator). The $22 million project will be spearheaded by Toebe Construction LLC.
