Human femur found at Amherstburg bridge halts lengthy construction project

Windsor, Ont. -

A human femur was discovered at a bridge under construction in Amherstburg.

Mayor Aldo DiCarlo says the human remains were discovered Aug. 3 by workers at the site on Concession Road 2 between North Side Road and Riverview Drive South.

“The town contacted the police, the police contacted the coroner’s office, who confirmed it was a human femur and then of course we contacted the ministry,” says DiCarlo.

DiCarlo says police determined a criminal investigation was not needed, but they contacted the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and it has ordered an archeological burial site investigation.

DiCarlo says he wasn’t that surprised that human remains were discovered.

“Amherstburg’s a very old town. We have a lot of history, especially, Indigenous and the War of 1812,” says DiCarlo.

The mayor is also personally impacted by the investigation and road closure since the route links Amherstburg to LaSalle and Windsor.

“You can include me in one of those people who are extremely frustrated to have to keep using the detoured route,” says DiCarlo.

DiCarlo says the project has been stalled several times, but until this latest setback it was supposed to be completed in October.

“We really are at the mercy of the archeologists and the ministry as far as timelines go,” says DiCarlo.

Mixed reaction from residents

Nearby resident Mike Dube says there’s mixed reaction from his neighbours on Concession Road 2.

“It’s gone long enough and I know a lot of people in the community want it to reopen,” says Dube.

Dube says the positive part is there’s less traffic for his kids to play while the road is closed.

Mike Dube and family outside their home on Concession Road 2 in Amherstburg, Ont., on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. (Melanie Borrelli / CTV Windsor)

“It’s a busy road when it is open, so we have enjoyed the break,” says Dube.

Unlike DiCarlo, he was surprised to hear the human remains were the reason for the delay.

“I was kinda wondering if it was something recent, but apparently it happens quite a lot around bridges, so there was no concern,” says Dube.