Shovels finally hit the ground for Gordie Howe Bridge
The sigh of relief was nearly audible as a dozen shovels held by political and project leaders simultaneously hit the soil Tuesday during a ceremonial groundbreaking in Detroit for the long-awaited Gordie Howe International Bridge. “This is an amazing day,” said Michigan Department of Transportation director Kirk Steudle, noting he’s been working on the project since 2003. “Today, we celebrate an arduous planning process and finally the beginning of construction.” Planning for the governmentbacked Windsor-Detroit bridge was initially launched in 2001 with a target completion date a decade later in 2011.
But politics, government footdragging and lawsuits — launched primarily by Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun — turned the much-needed binational Detroit River border crossing project instead into a drawn-out saga, leading many to believe the project would never happen. Some still believe the Moroun family, seeking to protect revenues at the Ambassador Bridge, will somehow find a way to further delay the project.
The Morouns in recent weeks have lobbied U.S. President Donald Trump to pull the presidential permit for the project.
But prominently on hand for Tuesday’s Howe bridge groundbreaking on the American side was U.S. Ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft, appointed by Trump. On the podium, Craft spoke at length about hockey icon Gordie Howe’s work ethic and longevity on the ice as she paid tribute to the drive of those working for years to make the Howe bridge a reality.
Afterward, she issued a brief statement to indicate the U.S. president remains behind the project.
“I think any project that creates economic stability, this administration stands firmly behind,” Craft said.
One leader who spearheaded support on the U.S. side was Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.
He often tackled challenges by the Morouns head on, most notably during a 2012 ballot proposal in Michigan, launched by the billionaire bridge owner that would have killed the project. Snyder at that time crossed the state for months to speak out against the Moroun challenge and promote the new public bridge. The statewide ballot proposal was soundly defeated.
“This is a great day,” said Snyder on Tuesday. “It has taken years, but it’s been a good exercise in relentless action.
“The ambassador coming here is an important sign the (Trump) administration hasn’t changed their position. It supports comments the president made when he came into office that he wants to get this bridge built.” Snyder, whose term as governor ends later this year, said he was never “anti-Ambassador Bridge,” but always “pro-Gordie Howe bridge.”
This is a project that will last generations and create thousands of jobs on both sides of the border. This is a testament to the will of people in Windsor.
“This bridge is going to get built,” he said. “I look forward to coming back as a civilian — and maybe somebody might remember who I was — and we all get a chance to go across the bridge when it’s done.” Dwight Duncan, chairman of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, said any remaining doubts about the project should finally be put to rest.
“I was delighted to see the ambassador here today expressing support for the project,” he said. “Today is further evidence this bridge is happening. This bridge is now under construction on both sides of the border.” It is estimated the bridge will be completed in late 2022 or early 2023.
Exactly when the new crossing will open to traffic will be known when final contracts are signed this fall with the private sector contractor — a consortium of global companies under the banner of Bridging North America, Duncan said. The construction group includes ACS Infrastructure, Dragados Canada and Fluor Canada. Duncan dismissed concerns the bridge project could be derailed by current tensions between the Canadian and U.S. governments regarding tariffs and the North American Free Trade Agreement. “Do you know how many disputes there have been in my lifetime?” Duncan said. “President Kennedy did not like our prime minister at all. President Johnson signed the auto pact after our prime minister refused to go into Vietnam. When Prime Minster Chretien refused to support Americans in Iraq, our countries still worked together. “Governments on both sides will always have issues, but the people of Canada and United States will ensure great trade continues between our countries.” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens noted he has been dealing with bridge-related controversies from the minute he was first elected to city council in 2006. “There have been so many ups and downs on this file, so to see a shovel in the ground today is great news,” he said.
“This is a project that will last generations and create thousands of jobs on both sides of the border. This is a testament to the will of people in Windsor who said they want the best solution — and today, officially, we have that.” Tuesday ’s event was designed to launch “advance construction” for the Howe project in southwest Detroit. That will include foundation work for the bridge piers, drainage, soil testing and plaza preparation. Full construction will get underway this fall after final contracts are signed with the contractor which will pay the majority of costs for the project — which could reach over $4 billion — and recoup the money through revenues. One Michigan labour leader said his membership is excited the long wait is over.
“I anticipate there will be hundreds of jobs,” said Toney Stewart, executive director of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, which includes 10,000 members. “There are going to be a lot of skilled trades jobs. These are good-paying jobs.”