November 2023 Community Newsletter
CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS OF CONSTRUCTION
October 5, 2023, marked five years of construction on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. Since beginning construction in October 2018, the project team has made critical progress on each of the four project components. Recent construction achievements include:
Living beside a major construction project can be challenging, and the project team deeply appreciates the patience Sandwich and Delray/Southwest Detroit residents and businesses have shown to date.
To recognize this patience and support, the project team hosted celebratory thank you breakfasts in both communities. Approximately 700 people attended the two events, held at Clark Park in Detroit and at Sandwich Teen Action Group (STAG) in Windsor. Attendees enjoyed free food, entertainment and family-friendly activities.
The project team is committed to continued engagement with residents, businesses and community members as construction advances and we begin preparations for opening day. The communities’ enthusiasm for the project motivates and inspires all those working across the construction sites and corporate offices.
PEOPLE PROFILE
Meet Bruno Paini
Bruno is a Utilities Coordinator for Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. He was born and raised in Brazil and completed his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering at Universidade Estadual de Maringá in Brazil. Seven years ago, he came to Windsor, Ontario, and completed a Master of Engineering degree at the University of Windsor. Bruno officially became a Canadian citizen in September 2023.
Q. What type of work are you doing on the project?
I am responsible for coordinating all utility work between the utility companies, government agencies and the project team across all project components. I also oversee Sandwich Street reconstruction and the Malden Park Observation Area construction.
Q. What is the most rewarding part of working on the project?
Everyone working on the project had a chance to sign their name on one of the beams that will be placed as part of the permanent bridge structure. I am proud of my contribution to this once-in-a-generation project that is taking place right here. I hope to use the bridge in the future with family and friends and have all these great memories return to me. I also take an interest in all areas of civil engineering, so the Gordie Howe International Bridge is the perfect environment for me to learn and share with my colleagues.
Q. What do you wish other people knew about the project?
There will be public artwork included in the project including one commission to commemorate the region’s role in the Underground Railroad and one commission to recognize the history and traditions of Indigenous Peoples of Canada.
LAUNCH OF ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is proud to share its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Plan, a testament to the team’s commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility. Since the start of operations, the organization has driven efforts that align with WDBA’s four anchors of ESG, including commitments to steward a healthy environment, enhance the local community, create a thriving corporate culture and ensure responsible corporate conduct. The ESG Plan consolidates these activities into a clear roadmap for the organization to actively support the creation of a thriving and sustainable future for employees, bridge users and the communities where we operate throughout the project’s life cycle. The team recognizes the importance of accountability and transparency on ESG commitments and will issue quarterly progress reports on these activities.
Additionally, WDBA is taking steps to mitigating climate change effects. WDBA’s inaugural Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Report provides an overview of operational practices and performance on climate-related risks and opportunities for the 2022 calendar year. WDBA will continue to issue TCFD disclosures on an annual basis. The two reports are available on GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com.
RIBBON CUTTING AT MALDEN OBSERVATION AREA
The Malden Park Observation Area is now open to visitors. In early November, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and the City of Windsor held a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark its grand opening.
The Malden Park Observation Area provides an attractive, safe location, for residents, students and tourists to observe the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. It is located at the highest vantage point in Windsor, Ontario, at Malden Park. Looking northwest, visitors will enjoy a unique view.
The observation area includes a landscaped area, enhanced with railings, benches and wayfinding signage, directing viewers’ attention to a clear view of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. The opening of the observation area allows for plenty of time to view the progress and completion of the bridge deck over the Detroit River and the progress of Canadian Port of Entry facilities and landscaping.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Open Streets
For the fourth year, the Gordie Howe International Bridge project team was happy to participate in the City of Windsor's annual Open Streets event in September. The team hosted a booth in the Sandwich hub where kids could compete in a hockey shootout activity and learn about the project including the reconstruction of Sandwich Street.
Build a Dream Career Discovery Expo
In honour of International Day of the Girl, the project team attended Build A Dream’s Career Discovery Expo at St. Clair Centre for the Arts in Windsor. This annual event empowers women and girls to consider career options in Skilled Trades, STEAM, Emergency Response, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship. The project team discussed various career opportunities and paths with female students.
Spooky Halloween
Over the weekend before Halloween, the project team participated in two Halloween events for some holiday fun. The project team took part in the Town of LaSalle’s annual Truck or Treat event, where families dressed in costumes and visited a lineup of unique vehicles including project construction equipment. The project team also took part in Urban Neighborhood Initiative’s Spooktacular Halloween Fest which offered the project team a chance to meet families as they went Trunk or Treating and participated in other fun activities such as face painting.
DELRAY HOME IMPROVEMET PROGRAM – APPLY NOW
The Delray Home Improvement Program is a free home repair program for eligible homes or duplexes in the area surrounding the US Port of Entry in Delray, Detroit. The program represents a $4 million (CDN) investment being delivered as part of the project Community Benefits Plan. Successful applicants received repairs based on an assessment of their home, with a per-house cap of $20,000 (USD). Repairs included:
Since the program’s launch in 2021, 95 homes have received repairs or are currently in the process of receiving repairs. Limited space remains available for the 2024 construction season, when the program is anticipated to end. To learn more about the program and apply for home repairs visit the project website.
2024 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION INVESTMENT
In four years, the Community Organization Investment (COI) initiative has provided a total of $500,000 (CDN) to 40 organizations in Sandwich/west Windsor and Delray/Southwest Detroit to support events, programming, and infrastructure improvements. The Community Benefits project team is excited to launch the fifth and final year of funding with a call for applications later this month. Registered non-profits or charitable organizations that serve the residents of Sandwich/west Windsor or Delray/Southwest Detroit can learn more about the program on the project website.
ARTIST SELECTED TO CREATE COMMEMORATIVE ARTWORK
The Gordie Howe International Bridge project team is pleased to announce the completion of its artist selection process for the Commemorative Art Commission recognizing the Underground Railroad. Jordan Sook, a contemporary mixed media artist, will develop the commission to be installed at the Canadian Port of Entry.
Mr. Sook will create a free-standing sculpture that recognizes the region’s role and history with regards to the Underground Railroad; that saw thousands of freedom seekers as they made their way to Canada to escape bondage in the United States. The artwork will symbolize hope and freedom for past, current and future generations. Centrally located, the artwork will be visible to travellers as they enter and exit Canada using the multi-use path. The concept, still under development, will be shared in early 2024, with installation coinciding with the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. Read more about the artist on GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com.
SANDWICH STREET RECONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Just over three kilometres of Sandwich Street - from south of the Rosedale Avenue roundabout past Ojibway Parkway to McKee Avenue - is being reconstructed as part of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. There are three phases to this work. Phase Two of construction began in September 2023 with anticipated completion in December 2023. Phase One of construction will begin in late 2023 and phase Three will begin in 2024 with the goal of achieving full completion in 2024. Updates are available on the project website.
CELEBRATING OVER 10,000 WORKERS
In 2023, the project reached an important achievement, with more than 10,000 workers completing orientation to work on the project. The project continues to exceed the goal of hiring 20 per cent local workforce with 42 per cent of project staff being local to the City of Detroit or Windsor-Essex.
Building the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America, two state-of-the-art ports of entry and a highway interchange is no easy task. Our employees are the driving force behind this massive undertaking, making this historical project a reality. We thank all employees dedicated to delivering this once-in-a-generation infrastructure project.