The work on one of North America's most significant infrastructure projects is progressing as scheduled.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), the general overseer of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, provided an overview of its 2018-19 fiscal year at its annual public meeting, held Thursday morning at the Capitol Theatre in Windsor. Topics such as construction progress, community benefits, and financial standing were discussed with attendees given a chance to ask questions.
Bryce Phillips, CEO of the bridge authority, told reporters after the meeting that the design phase is moving forward and construction is well underway.
"Overall, the design is about three-quarters complete," said Phillips. "Construction has started on both sides of the border. Our main work is the preparing of properties. We've done some of the drillings down the bedrock for the foundation."
The most considerable leap forward this fiscal year in terms of work on the bridge has been the securing of properties by the WDBA on the Detroit side of the span. When the project began, over 600 parcels on the American side were involved. Now, Phillips said the process is almost finished.
"You can count them on the one hand," said Phillips. "We have the date set for the transfer to our possession so that we can then transfer them to Bridging North America. February 1 was one date, which has passed. The last date is September 1 of this year."
Community benefits, which is a crucial component of the bridge plan for people living in Sandwich Town in west Windsor, and the Delray section of Detroit, have been implemented. But WDBA board chairman Dwight Duncan insisted that the project itself is the biggest benefit, and dividends are already visible on both sides of the border.
"Last year we had a hotel guy here who had hotel rooms filled up," said Duncan. "Every time I go to a meeting at the BNA trailers on-site, they're using Windsor caterers and Detroit caterers on the U.S. side, so we already see the benefits of this."
The WDBA said construction is on time and budget, with a targeted completion date remaining the end of 2024.
For complete information on the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, visit the WDBA's official website.
