by Sylene Argent
Last week, Chatham-Kent-Leamington MP, Rick Nicholls, shared information that noted the Province issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) to widen 15.6km of Highway # 3, from two to four lanes, from County Road 23 in Essex to east of County Road 34.
The RFQ initiates procurement to complete the design, construction, and financing for the final stage of work.
Construction is currently underway to widen 4.9 kilometres of Highway # 3, from Maidstone Avenue to Arner Townline in Essex, which is expected to be completed in 2023.
The final phase of the Highway # 3 widening project includes a total of 20.5km.
“Highway 3 is a critical link between communities in the southwest, with thousands of vehicles travelling between Windsor, Essex, Kingsville, and Leamington each day,” Nicholls stated in a press release on the matter. “With this next step and the construction currently underway to widen Highway 3 in Essex, our government is delivering on its promise to improve this important section of highway in our region.”
Information from the MTO noted the RFQ is meant to prequalify project teams to deliver the Highway # 3 expansion project as a Public Private Partnership project. The project is being delivered through Infrastructure Ontario’s Design, Build and Finance (DBF) Public-Private Partnership model, which transfers appropriate risks associated with design, construction and financing of the project to the private sector.
“Our government knows that Highway 3 is a critical link in Southwestern Ontario, and that’s why, since day one, we have remained committed to expanding this highway,” Communications Services Coordinator for the MTO, Paola Bonilla stated. “Not only is it expected to enhance safety, but it will also improve the movement of goods and people, making life easier for families and businesses throughout the region.”
In conjunction with the widening project, the Town of Essex will undertake the Hanlan Street Extension project, which is tied to development of Gianni Estates and will be constructed as part of that development.
During the Infrastructure Roundtable Essex Council held in March, Kevin Girard, Director of Infrastructure, said the Town is working with the MTO for South Talbot Road, which will have connection brought all the way to Victoria Avenue as part of the Highway # 3 widening project, in accordance with the future closure of Victoria Avenue to Highway # 3.
The Town is working with the MTO to try to get a multi-use pathway from Victoria Avenue to Maidstone Avenue, he noted at that meeting.
In addition, the Town is working with the design builders of the Highway # 3 expansion project, Dillon Consulting and Coco Paving Inc., to extend a watermain across the highway, at the 14th Concession, to allow any potential developers on the southside of the thoroughfare to connect in the future.
For more information about the Highway # 3 widening project, visit https://www.highway3widening.ca/