Heated debate over Riverside Drive underpass continues

The Riverside Drive underpass plan survived a test at Windsor city council.

On Monday, councillors narrowly voteddown a surprise motiontocancel a $78,000environmental assessment for the hotly-debatedproject.

If the underpass actually gets built, the final cost would likelybe in the range of $3- to $4-million.

Councillor Irek Kusmierczykwanted to kill the proposed pedestrian tunnel under Riverside Drive because he feelsthe millions needed for the tunnel couldbe spent on other projects,such as upgrading localparks.

Councillors said that public reaction to the tunnelhasrun the gamut from enthusiastic to vehemently opposed.