Posted with permission from Mark Ontbirders: Of interest to any of you who use Highway # 3 [ Talbot Trail ] from Windsor to Chatham-Kent for Spring birding.
Beginning Mon., April 21, 2008 Wind Turbine parts will be transported, via H # 3, from a ship in Windsor to a new Wind Farm in the vicinity of Port Alma--along the lake. There is a total of 44 turbines ; each turbine requires 7 loads = 308 loads. Some loads will be 196 ft. long. [ Wow ]. There will be Police escort, front and back, for every load. The loads will be on this highway from 8:30 a.m.--till 5:30 pm, every week day- Mon. thru' Fri. , for 12 weeks !!!!!!! Roughly April 21 to July 11. Week-ends are free. Police have issued a request that drivers find an alternative route. They have not printed a "Closed Road" statement to my knowledge, but have said to expect delays----well, I guess so ! Today, I took the journey from my house, in Blenheim, to the Harbour in Wheatley, a distance of 54 km. searching for a suitable alternate route. As soon as I saw the turbine "bases" in near-by fields, I drove North 1 concession, then turned South twds. Wheatley. This was in the Port Crewe area. These concessions running parallel with H # 3 were OK, but slow-going and already very dusty --with little traffic--today ! However, I discovered that they too had Wind Farm access roads across them --so may be of NO benefit to us. My only suggestions might be to get where you're going Early, and stay Late ! Don't we always anyway ? A Map Art of Southwestern Ontario will be a definite help. Do pack loads of Patience ! ---and the hardest task for me--Don't even think of parking on the road shoulders to see those flocks of Shorebirds. Those 308 loads are VERY WIDE ! + a lot of Police presence ! Of course you might just wish to settle at Rondeau Park for your birding. Those "Pelee birds" fly over us too you know. We'd love to have you ! Sorry, I have no suggestions, re roads, for our U.S. friends. Perhaps someone from the Essex- Windsor-Pelee area could comment on that. You will be "following " the loads, we will be "meeting" the loads. Hope this message is of some benefit--at least a "head's-up ". Irene Woods [EMAIL PROTECTED] Blenheim, ON Chatham-Kent Municipality _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
