‘Smart’ tech tackles Windsor construction zone traffic headaches

With another road construction season ramping up, Windsor is taking new steps to alleviate significant traffic jams and improve safety around construction zones.

The city’s transportation department is now using “smart” traffic signal technology to adjust traffic lights near construction zones and detour routes in real time.

According to the city, the newly deployed tech lets staff monitor and respond to current traffic conditions instead of relying on pre-set schedules, which don’t always address unexpected congestion from lane closures and detours.

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Motor vehicle traffic negotiates its way through road work pylons, signs and reduced lanes along Howard Avenue in front of Devonshire Mall on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Photo by Dan Janisse /Windsor Star

“Construction is essential for long-term improvements in order to keep our infrastructure in good condition, during which time we strive to minimize traffic impacts and keep vehicles moving through work areas to the degree possible,” said David Simpson, the city’s commissioner of infrastructure services and top engineer.

“By using live data from sensors and traffic cameras, we can dynamically adjust light timing to better manage vehicle movement and keep traffic flowing, even when lanes are reduced within a construction zone.”

Traffic around Devonshire Mall, one of the biggest and busiest shopping centres in Southwest Ontario, has recently proven particularly chaotic, due to construction of a new intersection.

At Howard Avenue and Division Road, where the smart technology has been implemented, construction crews have opened an additional southbound lane in front of Devonshire Mall. The lane allows traffic to turn into the parking lot without impeding other motorists.

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The major construction work at Howard and Division is expected to last until the end of October and includes storm sewer improvements, road reconstruction and widening, the construction of a new railway grade crossing on Sydney Avenue, streetlighting and traffic light improvements, sidewalks, and a multi-use trail.

For a list of complete, current, and planned construction and detours in Windsor, visit the city’s website, citywindsor.ca/residents/construction.

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