Windsor, Ontario • With a variety of recent and upcoming achievements on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) and Bridging North America (BNA) look to celebrate with residents and thank them for their support and patience over the last five years of construction by hosting two community appreciation breakfasts.
The events take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Clark Park in Detroit and Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Sandwich Teen Action Group in Windsor. Each event features entertainment and family-friendly activities along with free breakfast for up to 500 participants.
As progress continues across all four components of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, the team recognizes the importance of celebrating accomplishments along the way, and there is a lot of recent activity to be proud of.
- The US bridge tower reached its full height of 220 m/722 ft in August 2023. The Canadian tower is anticipated to reach its full height in October 2023.
- Half of the 55 bridge deck segments over the Detroit River have now been installed.
- With 116 of the 216 total stay cables connecting the towers and decks in place, the team is counting down the last 100 stay cables to be installed.
- The fourth and final road bridge reconstructed as part of Michigan Interchange activities reopened in August connecting communities over I-75.
- Since the official start of construction on October 5, 2018, over 10 million hours of work have been logged and over 10,000 people have been oriented to work on the project.
The project team is deeply appreciative of the communities on both sides of the border. Residents have participated in surveys and meetings to express their opinions on design features, have helped shape Community Benefits Plan initiatives and have raised over 3,300 questions through our public inquiry channels. They are living through lane and road closures necessary to advance construction. They are staying engaged on project progress with more than 321,000 video views in 2023 along with growing our followers on social media by 33% with Facebook alone seeing a 59.5% increase. The communities’ enthusiasm for the project motivates and inspires all those working across the construction sites and corporate offices.
QUOTES
“The project team takes tremendous pride in being part of the Windsor-Detroit region. The Community Appreciation Breakfasts are our way of expressing our gratitude to neighbouring residents while taking a moment to celebrate significant recent achievements on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.”
- Charl van Niekerk, CEO, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
“BNA has been extremely busy with the safe construction of all the project components, but we could not do the work we need to do without the communities' patience, cooperation and participation. We thank you for your support."
- Michael Hatchell, CEO, Bridging North America
“I applaud Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority for working so closely with our department to honor and show appreciation for the residents of Southwest Detroit who have been patient and supportive as this vital bridge takes shape. These breakfasts are yet another show of that appreciation.”
- Bradley C. Wieferich, Director, Michigan Department of Transportation
“As the Gordie Howe International Bridge construction continues to show great progress, I would like to thank the more than 10,000 workers who have been involved in building this transformational project. Another huge thanks is owed to the residents of Windsor-Essex, who have demonstrated resilience during five years of construction as we help deliver this new link to our neighbours that will bring significant economic benefits to our region and our country.”
- Irek Kusmierczyk, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Windsor—Tecumseh, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
QUICK FACTS
- The Community Appreciation Breakfasts will run from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Pre-register online or by calling 1-844-322-1773 or visiting the Sandwich or Southwest Detroit Community Offices. Advance registration is required.
- To mark the bridge towers reaching their full height, WDBA is introducing the first in a series of collectable patches to commemorate different project accomplishments. The project team will distribute these patches at community events.
- Both Clark Park Coalition and Sandwich Teen Action Group have received funding through the Community Organization Investment, a Community Benefits Plan initiative. The call for 2024 funding proposals is anticipated to be released in November.
RELEVANT LINKS
- Event Page: US and Canadian Community Appreciation Breakfasts
- Video: New flyover of the Bridge
- Fact Sheet: Construction Update Fall 2023
ABOUT WINDSOR-DETROIT BRIDGE AUTHORITY
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is a not-for-profit Canadian Crown corporation created to deliver the Gordie Howe International Bridge project between Windsor, ON and Detroit, MI through a public-private partnership (P3). WDBA is responsible for overseeing and managing the construction and operation of the new crossing. Visit GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com for more information on WDBA and follow the project on Facebook.
ABOUT BRIDGING NORTH AMERICA
Bridging North America (BNA) became the private-sector partner to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Gordie Howe International Bridge project in September 2018. BNA is comprised of some of the most recognized leaders in the construction and infrastructure industry which includes North American and international companies. BNA partners have significant experience carrying out major infrastructure projects such as the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway in Windsor, Ontario; New Champlain Bridge Corridor in Montreal, Quebec; Autoroute 30 in Montreal, Quebec; Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto, Ontario; Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) in Montreal, Quebec; Automated People Mover at LAX Airport, California; Harbor Bridge, Corpus Christi, Texas; Tappan Zee Bridge in New York and San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, California.
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Gordie Howe International Bridge
Media Relations Team
226-757-1716
