Windsor, Ontario • Today, the Gordie Howe International Bridge project team and the City of Windsor announced the opening of the Malden Park Observation Area, a safe space for the community and tourists to observe construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge – the largest bi-national infrastructure project currently taking place along the Canada-US border.
Located at the highest elevation point in Malden Park, the observation area includes railings, benches, binoculars, landscaping and wayfinding signage. The area provides a clear vantage of the project as the bridge deck construction moves across the Detroit River.
Construction of the observation area was managed by Bridging North America and their subcontractor, Landscape Effects, in coordination with the City of Windsor. Work began on September 5, 2023, and took approximately seven weeks to complete. The observation area will remain a permanent amenity at Malden Park and will be maintained by the City of Windsor.
The observation area is part of the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan which includes the $20 million (CDN) Neighbourhood Infrastructure Strategy. The initiatives in the strategy reflect key regional priorities identified through stakeholder and community consultation. These include community partnerships, community safety and connections, economic benefits, and aesthetics and landscaping.
QUOTES
“The Malden Park Observation Area is the most recent community-centered investment we are pleased to deliver to Windsor residents. The Community Benefits Plan guarantees that the people located adjacent to the project are among its truest beneficiaries and we take immense pride in turning the ideas that we heard from residents into reality.”
- Charl van Niekerk, CEO, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
“The Malden Park Observation Area gives the public a unique vantage point to view the exciting progress BNA is making as we build the Gordie Howe International Bridge out over the Detroit River. It is something that the community will be able to enjoy well after the bridge opens.”
- Michael Hatchell, CEO, Bridging North America
“Today, as we inaugurate the Malden Park Observation Area, we recognize the City of Windsor and the Gordie Howe International Bridge’s partnership and commitment to our community. This observation area, atop Malden Park's highest point, symbolizes our city's ongoing progress and bright future. Made possible by the Community Benefits Plan, residents and visitors can now witness the monumental transformation of our riverfront landscape first hand.”
- Mayor Drew Dilkens, City of Windsor
“The once-in-a-generation Gordie Howe International Bridge project continues to deliver economic and social benefits to our rising community. The Malden Park observation area will provide residents and visitors of Windsor-Essex the opportunity to take in the view of this iconic structure and the natural beauty of a future Ojibway National Urban Park for many years to come.”
- 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 Malden Park Observation Area initiative is a result of community consultation during the development of the Community Benefits Plan from 2015-2018. Feedback indicated a strong desire for the communities to have safe places to watch this once-in-a-generation undertaking take shape.
- Complementary views of the Gordie Howe International Bridge can be seen from the US riverfront at Belanger Park in River Rouge, Michigan.
- To minimize barriers for people with disabilities, the Gordie Howe International Bridge project team collected feedback in summer 2022 from the Windsor community on accessibility. The input received helped to ensure the Malden Park Observation Area’s design is accessible and can be enjoyed by all.
RELEVANT LINKS
- Community Benefits Neighbourhood Infrastructure Strategy initiatives
- 2022-2023 Community Benefits Year-in-Review Report
- Summer 2023 Quarterly Community Benefits Report
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
ABOUT THE CITY OF WINDSOR
Windsor is an international city with a diverse population of approximately 215,000 residents and a land area of 147 square kilometres (57 square miles).
Malden Park is one of the City of Windsor's 204 parks featuring magnificent gardens, sculptures, numerous monuments and fountains, sport fields, play units, and picnic areas.
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Gordie Howe International Bridge
Media Relations Team
226-757-1716
Jill Braido
City of Windsor
Marketing and Communications Officer
(226) 347-5608
