DETROIT – An underwater commuter traffic tunnel between Detroit and the Canadian city of Windsor has reopened after being shut down for more than a week as part of a nearly $22 million renovation project.
The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel was back open on Monday morning as scheduled after closing Oct. 20.
Crews are replacing the concrete ceiling and making other infrastructure improvements. Renovations are scheduled to be completed in June. Other periodic closings are planned during the construction project. Details are listed below.
Border crossings in the Detroit area were diverted to the Ambassador Bridge during the shutdown.
The tunnel opened in 1930 and runs beneath the surface of the Detroit River. About 12,000 vehicles use the tunnel daily.
Here's the remaining closure schedule:
• Oct. 30-Nov. 22: The tunnel will be closed 8 p.m.-5:30 a.m. Sunday-Thursday.
• Nov. 23-26: The tunnel will be open to traffic.
• Nov. 27-Dec. 23: The tunnel will be closed 8 p.m.- 5:30 a.m. Sunday-Thursday.
• Dec. 23- Jan. 1, 2018: The tunnel will be open to traffic.
• Jan. 2- mid-June: The tunnel will be closed from 8 p.m.- 5:30 a.m. Sunday-Thursday.
The renovations are scheduled for completion in June 2018. .
“We look forward to continuing to serve as the premier gateway to Windsor and Detroit for years to come, and this work will help us to do just that,” said Neal Belitsky, president of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. “The need for this renovation project is a natural occurrence in the life of an underwater tunnel and the next step in our continued maintenance and improvement of this vital international asset.”
The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is the only international, vehicular, subaqueous border crossing in the world. It has been recognized as one of the great engineering wonders of the world and is one of the most important border crossings between the United States and Canada. Located between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, connecting the U.S. interstates to Ontario’s Highway 401, it is one of the fastest links between the two countries.
History of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel
The international connection between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario began in 1929.
The Ambassador Bridge construction was completed that year and officially opened Nov. 11, 1929. Just a year later, the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel construction was completed and dedicated Nov. 1, 1930.
It opened to public traffic on Nov. 3, 1930.