Bridging the gap

Canadian and U.S. officials see the Gordie Howe International Bridge as an important economic and tourism link for both counties, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor Rick Snyder.

The bridge will have six lanes of traffic, three going each way. As well as bike lanes and walkways for pedestrians.

ACS Infrastructure is the company in charge of building the bridge.

“The Gordie Howe International Bridge will serve not only to strengthen the connection between Canada and the United States through increased connectivity and trade but will also create jobs and provide long-term benefits to the local communities of the Windsor-Detroit area,” said Nuria Haltiwanger, CEO of ACS Infrastructure.

The Governor of Michigan, Rick Snyder, has supported the bridge since the beginning.

“It is not just about business, it is the opportunity to ride bikes, to build cultural ties, about educational opportunities,” said Snyder. “This bridge truly is another great connection between our countries that will only cement our relationship that’s gone on for a couple of hundred years already and make it stronger and better.”

Snyder said the bridge will help people explore more of both Ontario and Michigan by allowing easier access to cross the border into Windsor.

The new bridge will cost $5.7 billion and will be paid for by Canada, but Canada will be paid back through tolls collected at the bridge. Snyder remarked on Canada's decision to cover the bill for the new bridge as easing a financial burden off of the United States, during uncertain financial times.

Prime Minister Trudeau said the new bridge will help improve trade between Canada and the U.S.

“Shorter travel times, more efficient supply chains and better access to the U.S. market for Canadian businesses. The Gordie Howe International Bridge has been a long time coming,” said Trudeau during his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony.

“The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a massive, ambitious infrastructure project that will create thousands of good jobs for tradespeople, designers and engineers alike, including by the time they’ve graduated, these young students behind me,” said Trudeau.

The students Trudeau was referring to are members of the Construction Academy of the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board, who stood behind the stage throughout the announcement.

A second event to celebrate the official start of construction of the new bridge took place later in the day at Windsor City Hall and was open to the community.

The second event included live music and a food tent Trudeau delivered a second speech. Attendees were able to shake hands and take photos with Trudeau, Minister of Infrastructure, Francois-Philippe Champagne and Minister of Employment, Patty Hajdu.

Minister of Infrastructure and Communities François-Philippe Champagne estimated the bridge would create 2,500 jobs.

Mayor Drew Dilkens said he looks forward to the jobs created by the project and the jobs produced by the community. According to Dilkens, both the bridge project and the mega-hospital project mark an exciting next 10 years for Windsor.

“Well, you can have no more certainty that the project is going to happen than to have your prime minister come to your city and put a shovel in the ground and congratulate everyone for a job well done,” said Dilkens. “This is going to be massive.”

The construction is expected to be completed by 2024, but Trudeau has said he would like to see construction accelerated.

The progress of the bridge can be seen on social media by following Windsor-Detroit Port Authority.