Deck to give view of construction

Planning is underway to construct a new observation deck in Malden Park that would allow residents a bird's-eye view of ongoing construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

The new viewing deck will be constructed near the top of the hill on the side located closest to the Matchette Road entrance to the park.

“The community told us that they wanted to see the progress of construction,” said Heather Grondin, vice-president of corporate affairs for the Windsor-detroit Bridge Authority. “The observation area in Malden Park will provide an attractive, safe location and a high elevation for residents, students or tourists to observe activities during the busiest years in the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.”

Funding is being provided to construct the observation deck under the community benefits plan being provided by the project's contractor Bridging North America. The area will include a raised viewing platform with railings, benches and wayfinding signage.

The permit application and environmental assessment processes are already underway through the City of Windsor.

Due to the site being a closed landfill, the city has submitted an application to amend the Malden Park site approval to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).

As part of the application process because it is a former waste site, the ministry requires a notification letter to neighbouring property owners whenever any changes are proposed at a closed landfill. Notification letters were issued to approximately 4,000 properties in the vicinity of Malden Park during the last week of February.

Bridging North America has been conducting pre-construction activities for the observation deck while the permit process is ongoing which includes site surveys for environmental and construction work.

Construction is hoped to begin later this year — pending permit approvals — and will take about three or four months to complete, Grondin said.