Overview
Created in 2012, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is a not-for-profit Canadian Crown corporation which reports to Parliament through the Government of Canada. As such, WDBA is wholly owned by the Government of Canada Crown but is structured like a private company and operates independently from government.
WDBA was created to manage the procurement process for the design, construction, 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.
WDBA is led by a President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and governed by a board of directors who are responsible for overseeing the business activities and other affairs of WDBA. The board is comprised of up to five members, including the President and CEO. All directors are approved by the Government of Canada with the Chair and President and CEO holding office for five years and the directors holding office for up to four years. The WDBA Board and President and CEO were appointed in 2014.
The International Authority is a joint Canada-Michigan governance entity established to oversee and approve key steps in the P3 procurement process for the Gordie Howe International Bridge. It is also responsible for monitoring compliance of WDBA with the Crossing Agreement signed by Canada and Michigan.
The International Authority consists of six members with equal representation from Canada and Michigan. Two members are appointed by Canada, one appointed by WDBA and three appointed by Michigan. The appointment terms for members of the International Authority will last until one year after the bridge opening. The members of the International Authority were appointed in 2014.
Progress
WDBA has made significant progress on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project since becoming operational in 2014:
| August 2014 – present | Staffing nearing completion: over 40 positions filled |
| Selection of key advisor firms to assist with engineering, technical, legal work | |
| Selection of fairness monitor to oversee P3 procurement process | |
| May 2015 | Official naming of the Gordie Howe International Bridge |
| July 2015 | P3 procurement process started with issuance of Request for Qualifications (RFQ) |
| August 2015 | Contract award for Early Works activities at Canadian Port of Entry followed by construction start |
| October 2015 | Six response submissions to the RFQ received for further evaluation |
| January 2016 | Announcement of three short-listed respondents for the P3 procurement process |
For more information about the WDBA and the Gordie Howe International Bridge project visit www.gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WDBAbridge, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WDBAbridge and connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/wdba-apwd.
