Feds ordered savings review for Gordie Howe bridge over cost concerns: documents

The federal government ordered a review of the budget for a new cross-border bridge in Windsor, Ont., after concerns arose that the cost was in danger of exceeding spending targets, newly released documents show.

Officials found ways to save money on the Gordie Howe International Bridge “without significantly changing the risk” to the federal government, noted a slide from an October presentation for senior government officials, obtained under the Access to Information Act.

The review was focused on construction costs after the Crown agency overseeing the project heard concerns from the three bidders about meeting the government’s budget expectations, insiders say.

Experts from both within and outside government were consulted early last fall to evaluate the concerns of bidders and to find the necessary savings through technical changes to the project.

A spokesman for the WindsorDetroit Bridge Authority said the Crown agency had to ensure it was “providing value to Canadian taxpayers,” but refused to answer further questions about the spending review.

The government is keeping a tight lid on the cost of the bridge. The federal spending projections account for some $4.8 billion, including costs to prepare and purchase properties, construction of the bridge itself and building new customs plazas on each side of the Canada-U.S. border.

In return, the government and the private company that’s to build and operate the new crossing together hope to collect enough toll revenue over the first 30 years of its life to recoup the cost.

The Liberals are likely to find out in the next few weeks if the savings identified in the “affordability review” will yield the intended results when the three groups vying for the project file their financial bids.