Groundbreaking ceremony held for new bridge between Windsor and Detroit

The Windsor-Detroit trade corridor is the busiest commercial land crossing on the border between the U.S. and Canada, handling more than 30 per cent of trade hauled by trucks.

“The Gordie Howe International Bridge will play a vital role in supporting and growing the local economies on both sides of the border and will create opportunities for residents and businesses alike,” said federal Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi. “This project is also an important symbol of our deep friendship and mutually beneficial relationship with the United States.”

Currently, the privately-owned Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel are the only commuter crossings between the two cities.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder called the Gordie Howe bridge an “economic engine” that will provide good-paying jobs. He also said a second span would provide economic security in the event of an Ambassador Bridge closing.

The Detroit International Bridge Co., which operates the Ambassador Bridge, has been unsuccessful in suing to stop the future construction of the new bridge.

The company has been seeking permits to build a six-lane replacement span for the Ambassador Bridge. That span would be about two miles upriver of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

The Gordie Howe bridge is named after the late hockey legend, who was born in Canada and grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Most of his 26 years in the NHL were with the Detroit Red Wings. He died in 2016.

Corey Williams, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Groundbreaking ceremony held for new bridge between Windsor and Detroit

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