The numbered roads in Essex County account for 1,503 lane kilometres (933.9 mi) of roads in the Canadian province of Ontario.
These roads[note 1] include King's Highways that are signed and maintained by the province, as well as county roads under the jurisdiction of the Essex County xxx. The third type of existing roadway in the county is locally maintained municipal roads, many of which are concession roads and sidelines; these are beyond the scope of this article.
Odd-numbered roads are generally north–south, with numbers increasing from west to east; even-numbered roads are generally east–west roads, with numbers increasing from north to south, with some exceptions. County roads are not signed within the city limits of Windsor. There are also several unrelated roads named "Malden Road". In 2002, the City of Windsor and the Town of Tecumseh swapped land with each other. Windsor gained land west of Banwell Road, including Windsor International Airport and Tecumseh Mall. Portions of several county roads within the land given to Windsor lost their designation as a result of this exchange.
The 43 numbered routes provide year-round access to the rural areas of the county, with roads within Windsor under a separate authority. The longest road in Essex County is County Road 20, which stretches 76.0 kilometres (47.2 mi) between Windsor and Leamington via the shoreline of the Detroit River and Lake Erie.
There are 129.9 kilometres (80.7 mi) of provincially-maintained highways in Essex County, known as "provincial highways" or "King's Highways," a term adopted in 1930.[2][3]
As in the rest of Ontario, the provincially maintained highways in Essex County are designated with a shield-shaped sign topped with a crown. The highway number is in the centre, with the word ONTARIO below. These signs are known as shields, but may be referred to as reassurance markers.[2]
Provincially maintained highways generally have greater construction standards than municipally or locally maintained roads.[4]
There are 40 numbered county roads in Essex County.[5] County roads are signed with a flowerpot-shaped sign, as are most regional and county roads in Ontario. The road number appears in the centre of the sign, with the word ESSEX above and the word COUNTY below. Like King's Highways, these signs are known as shields.[6]
County roads are referred to on signage as Essex County Road X. The following table lists existing numbered roads maintained by the County of Essex.[9]
Is split in two parts: From CR 21 to County Road 22 in Puce, and then from County Road 22 in Belle River to Essex-Kent County border (with CR 1). Formerly Highway 39 until 1961, when the Pike Creek Bypass/E.C. Row Expressway bypass of Pike Creek was finished, from Banwell Road to CR 2/22 Intersection. Former bridge approach is now used as a driveway/boat launch for the bordering house, next to the current roadway. Continues as Chatham-Kent Road 36.
A north-south semi-rural road in Essex County. It travels from Highway 3 (Huron Church Road) in Windsor to its terminus with Essex County Road 20 in River Canard. Like several other nearby county roads, Malden Road was listed as a Windsor Suburban Road until 1998. There are other Malden Roads in Essex County. County Road 12 between County Road 11 (Walker Road) and County Road 34 (Talbot Road North) is named Malden Road. The road next north is named North Malden Road, while the road next south is named South Malden Road. Another Malden Road exists northwest in Maidstone between County Road 8 and Manning Road. An Old Malden Road exists between 14th Concession and 12th Concession/Walker Sideroad.
Cuts across the mid-line of Essex County, almost directly half-way. Road heads due-east from River Canard in the west, straight towards Essex, and continuing all the way to the County boundary with Chatham-Kent. The road is appropriately named "Townline Road", as it acts as the boundary line with all of the current municipalities of Essex County. It also cuts Essex County nearly in half, as it is situated halfway between Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie.
Used to continue to CR 42, however, annexation by the City of Windsor, moved the terminus south to the new Windsor city limit on the north side of Highway 401.
Formerly Highway 39 from July 11, 1934, until 1970, when Highway 2 absorbed it entirely. Was re-routed along the Pike Creek Bypass portion of E.C. Row Expressway (section from Manning Road to CR 2/22 intersection) in 1961. One of the busiest roads in any category in Essex County. Was Highway 2 from 1970-1998.
Currently in two parts, from Highway 3/77 intersection, to CR 34, and again from CR 20 to Point Pelee Nat. Park. Leamington intends to connect the two via an "East End Arterial Road" to alleviate growth on the east side of town.
Former alignment of Highway 3, until the Essex By-Pass (current Highway 3) was completed, in 1981. The Leamington By-Pass was completed in 1997, and Highway 3 was routed along that road, being truncated at Highway 77.
Formerly Highway 18 from June 11, 1930, until re-numbered Highway 2 on December 16, 1931, when it gained its current routing. CR 42 became Highway 2, until 1970 before being re-routed via CR 22 in Belle River. Fully turned back in 1998. Continues as Chatham-Kent Road 2.
In the early 1970s, Windsor Airport was expanded, and Pilette Road and Jefferson Road were both closed off to traffic, permanently. Jefferson is used as an auxiliary parking lot for Chrysler Canada's excess production at times.
Formerly Highway 18B (1937–1953), then Highway 107 from 1953 onward, before being turned back in 1970. Temporarily re-transferred to provincial control as Highway 18 for a few months during a re-routing to bring people towards the newly opened Leamington By-Pass (Highway 3), before being turned back in its entirety in 1998, being reverted to CR 45.
Formerly Highway 18A from April 13, 1938, until being turned back in 1979, southernmost highway in Canada. Acts as a loop to CR 20, former Highway 18. Hwy 18A was turned back in 1983. Was fully paved by 1952. One Rand McNally map lists CR 50 as continuing north past CR 20 and CR 18, ending at Alma Street.
Windsor Suburban Roads were a special designation given to certain county roads in Essex County that were close to the City of Windsor. The following roads had part or all of their routes listed as "Windsor Suburban Roads":
County Road 2
County Road 3
County Road 6
County Road 7
County Road 8
County Road 9
County Road 11
County Road 17
County Road 19
County Road 21
County Road 25
County Road 34
County Road 40
County Road 42
County Road 46
County Road 117
The roads were managed by the "Windsor Suburban Roads Commission" until 1998, when Windsor became a single-tier municipality. The Suburban Roads reverted to Essex County.
^In Ontario, all roads are legally known as highways. However, road is the more prevalent term for common use. The Ontario Municipal Act defines a highway as any road, street or bridge that is not a Provincial Highway.[1]
^Thompson, Don W. (1969). Men and Meridians: The History of Surveying and Mapping in Canada. Vol. 3: 1917 to 1947. Canadian Government Publishing Centre. p. 141. ISBN0-660-00359-7.
^Ontario Provincial Standards for Roads and Public Works (Report). Vol. General & Construction Specifications. Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. November 30, 2009.
