There is a new man at the top of the consortium that is building the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) has named former Ontario MPP Tim Murphy as its new chairman. The appointment was announced Monday by federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc.
"Mr. Murphy is an experienced infrastructure lawyer, company director and law firm manager with extensive experience in government," said WDBA CEO Bryce Phillips in a media release. "As a lawyer, Mr. Murphy has advised national and international clients in more than 100 infrastructure projects in Canada. He will join existing Board members in bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the Gordie Howe International Bridge project."
Murphy succeeds former Windsor-area MPP, Dwight Duncan.
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, left, WDBA board chairman Dwight Duncan and federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Francois-Philippe Champagne pose for photos at the official opening of construction for the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Windsor, October 5, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/WindsorNewsToday.ca.
A longtime lawyer, Murphy served in the Ontario Legislature from 1993 to 1995 as the Liberal MPP for the former Toronto riding of St. George-St. David. He was also a one-time president of the Ontario Liberal Party and a senior financial advisor to former Prime Minister Paul Martin. His most recent position was on the executive board of MacMillan LLP.
"I am pleased to accept this nomination as chairperson of Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority," said Murphy. "The Gordie Howe International Bridge project spans one of North America's busiest trade corridors and is a testament to the highly integrated nature of the Canada-U.S. economy. I look forward to working with Minister LeBlanc and the entire team at WDBA to ensure the successful delivery of this critical piece of infrastructure."
Construction on the Gordie Howe International Bridge is ongoing and proceeding according to plan. The towers on either side of the Detroit River are currently being built. The road deck could be put in in late 2022 or early 2023, with the projected date of the opening set to be fall 2024.
