Location
London
Event Website
http://www.csce2016.ca/
Description
Can a new international trade corridor successfully co-exist with one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems? Through careful design and innovative mitigation, the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway (the Parkway) was built with sensitivity to the adjacent tallgrass prairie. The Parkway was approved under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act as the new freeway connection between Highway 401 and a new crossing of the Detroit River between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.
Tallgrass prairie ecosystems are one of the most endangered vegetation communities on Earth and home to many rare species. The Parkway's ecological approach has resulted in an increase of over 100 ha. of Tallgrass Prairie habitat.
This presentation will explain how the design of the Parkway limited impacts to 0.4 hectares of high quality ecological habitat. Other outcomes will be highlighted, including:
- How First Nation traditional knowledge has supported Tallgrass Prairie restoration and species at risk protection
- How a tunnel top serves as an ecopassage reconnecting two natural areas for the benefit of two species at risk snakes and other wildlife
- How impacts to species at risk were minimized without compromise to the project schedule
- How an end-to-end trail system has been integrated with the surrounding natural environment
- How a unique stormwater management system will improve overall water quality and aquatic health
- How important fish habitat is being restored at an overall 3:1 ratio.
Included in
TRA-938: A PARKWAY IN A PRAIRIE: THE RT. HON. HERB GRAY PARKWAY
London
Can a new international trade corridor successfully co-exist with one of the world’s most threatened ecosystems? Through careful design and innovative mitigation, the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway (the Parkway) was built with sensitivity to the adjacent tallgrass prairie. The Parkway was approved under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act as the new freeway connection between Highway 401 and a new crossing of the Detroit River between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.
Tallgrass prairie ecosystems are one of the most endangered vegetation communities on Earth and home to many rare species. The Parkway's ecological approach has resulted in an increase of over 100 ha. of Tallgrass Prairie habitat.
This presentation will explain how the design of the Parkway limited impacts to 0.4 hectares of high quality ecological habitat. Other outcomes will be highlighted, including:
- How First Nation traditional knowledge has supported Tallgrass Prairie restoration and species at risk protection
- How a tunnel top serves as an ecopassage reconnecting two natural areas for the benefit of two species at risk snakes and other wildlife
- How impacts to species at risk were minimized without compromise to the project schedule
- How an end-to-end trail system has been integrated with the surrounding natural environment
- How a unique stormwater management system will improve overall water quality and aquatic health
- How important fish habitat is being restored at an overall 3:1 ratio.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/csce2016/London/Transportation/19
