[Ontbirds]Point Pelee--Wheatley --Rondeau---Traffic delays

[Irene Woods]

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
irewoods at ciaccess.com
Blenheim, ON
Chatham-Kent Municipality