News Release

CONSTRUCTION OFFICIALLY BEGINS ON GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE PROJECT

WINDSOR, ONTARIO – Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) and Bridging North America (BridgingNA) were joined by the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to celebrate today the official start of construction on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.

The $5.7 billion project includes the Canadian and US Ports of Entry, the bridge and Michigan Interchange. It will be constructed over 74 months and open to traffic by the end of 2024.

With an 853-metre clear span between the two towers, the Gordie Howe International Bridge will be the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America and the seventh longest in the world. It will also set the record for longest composite steel and concrete cable-stayed bridge deck in the world. With a tower shape inspired by the curvature of a hockey stick in a slap shot – a nod to Gordie Howe – and rivalling the height of the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit, the bridge will be a striking and impressive addition to Windsor’s and Detroit’s skylines.

Once complete, the new Gordie Howe International Bridge will provide for redundancy and capacity at the busiest trade corridor between Canada and the United States with improved border processing and highway-to-highway international connectivity.

Quotes:

“The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is a game-changer for the Windsor/Essex and Detroit region. It will generate jobs during construction and, as the premier passage for trade between Canada and the United States, will be a catalyst for economic stimulus for the future.”

Dwight Duncan, Chair, WDBA Board of Directors

“Today we celebrate yet another milestone in the story of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, the start of construction of a project which is a result of a vision long shared by communities on both sides of the border. WDBA looks forward to continuing to work with communities and our stakeholders as we build the bridge to the future.”

Bryce Phillips, CEO, WDBA

“Bridging North America is honoured to be a long-term partner with WDBA to deliver one of North America’s largest infrastructure projects. We are committed to the success of the Gordie Howe International Bridge and look forward to building prosperity and empowering progress for the Windsor- Essex and Detroit area. Our team is committed to working in close collaboration with WDBA, as well as the region’s residents, Indigenous Peoples, businesses, schools, community groups, and associations.”

Aaron Epstein, CEO, Bridging North America

Quick facts

• Bridging North America anticipates the creation of 2,500 jobs including direct hires, sub-contractors and seconded individuals.
• The Gordie Howe International Bridge will be publicly-owned by the Governments of Canada and Michigan and delivered through a public-private partnership between WDBA and BridgingNA.
• The Gordie Howe International Bridge will be constructed using the balanced cantilever method. This involves constructing the two 220-metre tall towers on either side of the Detroit River and then building the bridge deck piece-by-piece outwards over the river until the two 425-metre long cantilevers meet in the middle.
• Each ‘half’ of the bridge will be constructed completely independently of the other and will not interact until joined in the middle, high above the Detroit River and will be constructed at the same time so they are simultaneously ready for completion.
• The bridge will span right across the Detroit River with no permanent or temporary elements located in the river below. This approach will ensure minimal disruption to the busy river traffic during the operation of the bridge.

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. For more information on WDBA visit www.gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com and follow WDBA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GordieHoweBrg.

About Bridging North America 
Bridging North America (BridgingNA) is comprised of some of the most recognized leaders in the construction/infrastructure industry which includes North American and international companies. BridgingNA 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; Harbour Bridge and Tappan Zee Bridge in New York and San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge.

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