Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.
WDBA started operations in July 2014, when the Government of Canada announced the appointments of WDBA’s first CEO and Board of Directors, and, with the Government of Michigan, the appointments of the Canadian and Michigan members of the International Authority.
On July 30, 2024, over 100 WDBA and Parsons staff gathered at the project site to celebrate the organization’s anniversary and the connection of the Gordie Howe International Bridge deck.
“Together with our project partners, WDBA has accomplished so much over the past 10 years,” says Charl van Niekerk, Chief Executive Officer of WDBA.
Over the last 10 years, WDBA has grown to over 100 employees. It has successfully completed the public-private partnership procurement process, launched an award-winning Community Benefits Plan and is nearing completion on all four components of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project -- the bridge, two Ports of Entry and the Michigan Interchange.
Although WDBA started operations in 2014, its genesis goes back to June 2012 with the signing of the Canada-Michigan Crossing Agreement which called for the establishment of a crossing authority. Later that year, WDBA was created as a Crown corporation by an Order in Council.
“WDBA’s anniversary is a chance to reflect on what we’ve achieved together and set our sights to the future and to construction completion in 2025,” adds van Niekerk.
