Windsor-Detroit Bride Authority holds public information session

by Dawn Gray

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority is expecting the Gordie Howe International Bridge to be operational in 2020, according to updates given at a public meeting on Nov. 17.

WDBA’s vice president of communications, Heather Grondin, spoke to a full house, Tuesday at the Ambassador Golf Club of Windsor. Grondin addressed many issues including project components, work that is currently underway and the process for selecting a private sector partner. This partner will design, build, operate and maintain the ongoing bridge project.

Grondin said the process has been a long one to get to where the project is today. It began in 2000 when the Board of Transportation Partnership was formed and started conducting studies involving traffic at the Windsor-Detroit border crossing.

“A number of key milestones have been reached along the way,” said Grondin.

Two plazas and approach bridges are being built to provide access to the new bridge. One on each side of the border. Work is currently underway on the Windsor plaza. More than 4.5 km of specific exclusion geotextile fabric fencing has been installed around the site.

“The special fence serves to keep wildlife and public out of the site,” said Grondin. “Also, 15 km of utilities have been relocated and 90,000 cubic metres of dirt has been removed.”

There are four main components of the bridge project. These include the bridge, the Canadian port of entry, the U.S. port of entry and new interchanges on the Detroit side that will provide access to the bridge from Interstate 75. The project has an estimated value of more than $2 billion.

“Once complete, the bridge will be in the top five longest bridges in North America,” said Grondin. “The total length of the bridge is estimated to be 2.5 km.”

The new Gordie Howe International Bridge will be designed, built, financed, operated and maintained using what is called the “P3 model,” which stands for Public Private Partnership. According to Grondin, this represents a cooperative venture between a public sector entity and a private sector partner for the commission of services.

WDBA is currently in the early stages of procuring a private partner and their options are being carefully evaluated. The process is being overseen by key advisors and a fairness monitor.

The private sector partner will be responsible for the design and delivery of the project, long term operations and maintenance, according to Grondin. She said their expertise, efficiencies and innovation are all being utilized. Also, the private sector partner is paid only on performance, allowing a financial incentive for an on-time and on-budget delivery of the required services

“There are many befits to using the P3 model,” said Grondin. “The model allows for the appropriate sharing of risks between the government and the private sector.”

Mark Butler, director of communications, said this type of meeting allows the public and private stakeholders an opportunity to take a look at the project and to see where it currently stands.

“We want to give an update to the public and by the same token we’re looking for feedback,” said Butler.

The anticipation is the bridge and plazas will be finished within a four year period, according to Butler.

“I think that people in the Windsor and Essex community have been so involved with this project over the last 10 years and now they see the dirt flying,” said Butler.

“They’re excited and getting more excited that this will become a reality.”