Gordie Howe International Bridge

Naming ceremony of the new Windsor-Detroit International Bridge

There has been much controversy over the construction of a new bridge that will connect Windsor and Detroit.  One of the biggest concerns, is that Canada is footing the bill for construction on the U.S. side.  The money we are contributing will be used to build a Customs plaza.  It is alleged that it will be paid back from tolls collected and, won't cost Canadian tax payers a cent but, many believe this is just a dream.  Canada already had plans to pay for 95% of the new bridge and then came the decision to move forward, a customs plaza was needed on the American side of the border.

The new bridge is being designed to connect directly to Highway 401 via the Herb Gray Parkway on the Canadian side and to Interstates 75 and 95 in Detroit.  The current Ambassador Bridge is connected to city streets which causes a lot of traffic and congestion within the city itself.  The design of the new bridge connecting to major highways is expected to improve the flow of freight traffic over the border using six lanes instead of the current four.  The Windsor-Detroit border crossing is one of the busiest in North America.  At an estimate of 2.5 million trucks, carrying over $100 billion in trade used this corridor in 2012.

The proposal for a new bridge came about in 2004 and in 2007.  In 2008 the proposal received approval.  Work began in 2011 to construct the Herb Gray Parkway in Windsor, preparing to connect the bridge to highway 401.

Owner of the Ambassador Bridge, Manuel "Matty" Moroun, opposed the idea of building a new bridge.  He did everything in his power to sue the Canadian and Michigan Governments in an effort to stop construction on a new bridge.  He came up with a proposal of his own, to build a second span to the Ambassador Bridge.  In the end, that doesn't do anything to help the current bridge which is 86 years old and is in need of major repairs.  It was not made to accommodate the heavy duty freight vehicles that are used today nor, was it originally made for the high volume of traffic that uses it daily.  It's estimated that 10,000 trucks use the bridge daily.  The second span would also not alleviate the traffic congestion within the city.

More controversy ensues when Moroun begins to buy properties and land in a Historic community within Windsor.  It would be where the second span of the Ambassador Bridge would be located. Many of the residents in the community were outraged at the idea and were worried that this would cause their property value to decrease.  Many of these properties have houses on them and they are now abandoned and boarded up.  They have become targets for vandalism and this has residents concerned.  People are getting into these houses illegally and destruction and arson have ensued.

The choice of using the Delray neighbourhood in South Detroit has been under scrutiny. The community doesn't believe that this is an ideal location but, there is room to grow economically there. Warehouses and other businesses can be created to assist with trade that passes over the bridge. Creating more jobs, along with more revenue.  It's agreed that citizens focus more on that aspect and, to build up the area and begin to train people to fill those jobs that will be created.

A public-private partnership from Canada will oversee the bridge project and the construction of Inspection plazas, on both sides. The United States has agreed to staff, operate and maintain the Detroit customs plaza. Although, Canada's main decision to pay for the project was so it would benefit Canadian's, doesn't mean they were not thinking of their U.S. neighbours.  The span will be of vital importance to communities and businesses on both sides of the border, states Transport Minister, Lisa Raitt.

As it stands now, the Ambassador Bridge is privately owned and used for profit by Moroun and does not benefit everyone but, mainly adds to his own wealth.

The new Gordie Howe International Bridge is proposed to be completed and in service by 2020.

Written By:  Mike Crawford