Jul 17, 2018

Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA)

News Release

MICHIGAN ADVANCE CONSTRUCTION STARTS FOR GORDIE HOWE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE PROJECT

WINDSOR, ONTARIO – Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) and Bridging North America (BridgingNA), along with the State of Michigan and the Government of Canada, celebrated today that another significant milestone in the Gordie Howe International Bridge project has been reached with the start of Michigan advance construction.

Advance construction activities include design work to advance foundation construction of the main bridge, test piles, preparation and the start of siphon work at I-75 and geotechnical exploration.

The technical and financial proposals were evaluated by subject-matter experts with extensive engineering and financial expertise and, as with the entire P3 procurement process, the evaluation was overseen by an independent fairness monitor who provided an independent opinion confirming the fairness, openness and transparency of the process.

BridgingNA was announced as the Preferred Proponent to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Gordie Howe International Bridge in early July following a fair, open and transparent process based on a commercially accepted public- private partnership (P3) procurement approach.

To take advantage of the summer 2018 construction season, a separate contract has been signed between BridgingNA and WDBA. This critical work will enable full construction to begin after financial close is reached by BridgingNA by the end of September.

The new Gordie Howe International Bridge will provide for redundancy at the busiest trade corridor between Canada and the United States with improved border processing and highway-to-highway international connectivity. It also addresses future needs and will provide six lanes to meet anticipated growth in traffic over the years to come.

Quotes:

“Today is a testament to the hard work and dedication by WDBA and our project partners. Michigan advance construction sends a loud and clear message that we are at the ready and the Gordie Howe International Bridge project is moving ahead. Building of this critical piece of infrastructure is essential to the continued prosperity of Canada and the United States.”

Dwight Duncan, Chair, WDBA Board of Directors

“I offer my congratulations to Bridging North America for being selected as the Preferred Proponent for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project and for starting Michigan advance construction. WDBA looks forward to the continued partnership both through this advance construction phase and as we conclude the procurement process and reach financial close. Together with our Michigan partners, we are working closely together to deliver a new landmark for the region and the world.”

Bryce Phillips, CEO, WDBA

“Bridging North America is honoured to have been selected as the Preferred Proponent to build and maintain the iconic Gordie Howe International Bridge project and to be part of this exciting ceremony. Today’s groundbreaking celebration is the visible beginning of our long-term partnership with WDBA, and reinforces our commitment to collaborate with the governments of Canada, the United States and the State of Michigan. We look forward to continuing building upon this partnership, as we begin the construction phase of this landmark project, which will serve to not only strengthen the connection of the two countries but also provide long-term benefits to the local communities of the Detroit and Windsor areas on both sides of the border.”

Nuria Haltiwanger, Chairwoman and CEO of ACS Infrastructure in North America and President and CEO of Iridium Concesiones de Infraestructuras (an ACS Group company)

Quick facts

  • The Gordie Howe International Bridge project includes the Canadian Port of Entry, the bridge, US Port of Entry and I- 75 interchange.
  • Key members of Bridging North America include: ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc.; Dragados Canada Inc.; Fluor Canada Ltd.; AECOM; RBC Dominion Securities Inc.; Carlos Fernandez Casado S.L/FHECOR Ingenieros Consultores, S.A.; Moriyama and Teshima Architects; Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects, LLP.
  • Public meetings providing a project update are being held on Wednesday, July 25, at Mackenzie Hall in Windsor, Ontario, and on Thursday, July 26, at Historic Fort Wayne, in Detroit, Michigan, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. each day.

Related Products

Additional Quotes
Michigan Advance Construction
9 Things to Know About US Preparatory Activities
9 Things to Know About Canadian Preparatory Activities

About Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority

Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is a not-for-profit Canadian Crown corporation created to manage the procurement process for the design, building, financing, operation and maintenance of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan through a public-private partnership (P3). WDBA is also responsible for project oversight. For more information on WDBA visit www.gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com and follow WDBA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GordieHoweBrg.

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Mark Butler
Director of Communications
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
519-946-4859

 

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