Gordie Howe bridge construction still on track despite pandemic, builders say
The builders are confident construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge is still on track to finish by late 2024 despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is anticipated that bridge foundations will be completed before the holidays this year and work on the bridge towers will begin in the new year,” said Windsor-detroit Bridge Authority CEO Bryce Phillips. “So structures will begin to be visible on both sides of the river through and into the late winter and early spring of next year.”
The bridge authority gave an update Friday on the progress of the new international span, touted as one of the largest infrastructure projects in North America, during an online annual general meeting.
“The end of the fiscal year presented challenges with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Phillips. “Since March, WDBA and our private-sector partner Bridging North America have taken steps to ensure the project moves forward without compromising safety or compliance with government directives on work and public gatherings.”
This is the sixth year of operations for the bridge authority and the second year of construction on the bridge.
Mike St. Amant, chief financial and administration officer, said the WDBA has a net surplus of $460 million, which will be used to fund capital costs.
The most active period for construction is expected to occur between 2021 and 2023, with twothirds of the total work hours happening in that period.
Developer Leslie Martin said the towers are already “starting to rise” after the first pour this week.
“So once they do the towers, at the same time they're going to do the back span. That's the span towards the shore,” he said.
The bridge will be built out from each side of the river, said Martin, and the two ends will meet over the water.
“Once the towers start to progress up the road deck level, then you'll see the bridge deck start to incrementally head out toward the centre of the river,” said Martin. “They're going to build it from the top rather than from lifting sections from the river.
“You'll see progressively the bridge extended out from each of the towers until it meets in the middle.”
Phillips said other accomplishments over the last fiscal year included transmission line relocations and a four-kilometre perimeter access road at the Canadian port of entry.
“Three existing road bridges crossing the I-75 were demolished as part of the Michigan interchange work,” he said.
“And, importantly, installation of the 24 drilled shafts that will support the massive bridge towers, along with the base of these towers themselves.”
Board chairman Dwight Duncan said the 2019-2020 fiscal year was one of “significant activity,” but the busiest period of work is expected to begin next year.
“Despite challenges which have impacted all of us during the pandemic, we have collectively achieved milestones and will continue to do so as we build a legacy landmark for our two nations that we'll all be proud of,” said Duncan.