Detroit deal clears way for building Howe bridge
Detroit council on Tuesday signed off on a US$48-million deal that hands over city-owned land required for the Gordie Howe International Bridge and provides support to residents living near the industrial community of Delray where the bridge will be located.
Canadian taxpayers will be fronting the money to pay for the deal under an arrangement with Michigan’s state government. Canada plans to recoup its money through tolls after the bridge is constructed.
The agreement, aside from property acquisition, provides job training, environmental monitoring, plus relocation expenses for homeowners who do not wish to remain in close proximity to the looming international border crossing, even though they live outside of the bridge project’s footprint in southwest Detroit
The deal was the culmination of months of tense negotiations between Detroit, neighbourhood leaders and officials with the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder described the deal as a “major milestone” for the “vitally important infrastructure project,” but one that also protects the interests of Detroit’s residents.
“This is a testament to years of meaningful collaboration between stakeholders and community leaders who listened to one another and worked together to forge solutions that will benefit the people of Detroit for years to come,” Snyder said.
Within the package, the City of Detroit agreed to sell 36 parcels of land needed for the Howe bridge project. That land has been turned over to the State of Michigan, but Canada is providing the funds. The deal also provides $10 million for a training initiative to prepare workers for both bridge construction and other related jobs.
Another $2.4 million will be spent over the next 10 years to monitor the air quality and health of residents in a community known as Michigan’s most polluted due to industries in the area, including U.S. Steel on Zug Island.
“WDBA is pleased with the positive outcome from Detroit city council and we will continue to work closely with Michigan on the acquisition of properties on the U.S. side of the project,” said Michael Cautillo, the bridge authority’s CEO.
Construction on the Howe bridge is scheduled to start sometime next year. The bridge authority is expected to select a contractor for the project at the end of this year.
The project includes the new crossing, plazas on both sides of the border and a new two-kilometre feeder road in Detroit that will link the bridge to I-75.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority is also staging an update meeting Thursday in Windsor on the Howe bridge for anyone who wishes to learn more about the status of the project.
It will take place at Mackenzie Hall, located at 3277 Sandwich St., between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Presentations will be made during the open house at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.