The Windsor-Essex County Environment Committee wants to see the city move forward with an "animals only eco-bridge" spanning Ojibway Parkway.
The issue was brought up at the city's Environment, Transportation and Public Safety Standing Committee.
Ward 2 city councillor Fabio Costante says the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority is providing $1.5-million under the Community Benefits Plan for an eco-passage for animals.
He says additional funding is required from the city and the environment committee wants the funding for the eco-bridge included in the 2020 capital budget.
Costante believes the environment committee wants the matter addressed quickly.
"I think what brought this motion forward by the environment committee was the simple fact that the WDBA did already allocate this money. So the environment committee and I don't want to speak on behalf of the environment committee, I don't sit on the committee but my interpretation of the motion is, they want to get this on the table sooner than later so they want us to have that discussion at budget time," says Costante.
He says council could delay a decision to future budget deliberations.
"I think the question before council is going to be whether or not that investment is made this year or whether or not it's made in future years but I think there's an expectation that an investment be made by council, especially because the WDBA did put forward $1.5-million in good faith that the city would so make an investment," says Costante.
The bridge would connect the Black Oak Heritage Forest with the Ojibway Prairie Complex.
It would be a safe passage for area wildlife including species at risk.
He says the eco-bridge could be a costly project but there are some benefits.
"This type of infrastructure is so important as we connect, when we look at Ojibway Shores, when we look at the parkway, when we look at all these connecting properties and natural habitat," says Costante. "This type of infrastructure becomes very important so I think it's a step in the right direction."
The standing committee did approve recommendations from the region's environment committee.
The issue will now be discussed at an upcoming city council meeting.
If approved, it will be debated during 2020 budget deliberations.