Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority holds public meetings on both sides of the border

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, the organization managing the Gordie Howe bridge project, held two public information sessions this week.

The meetings were open to the public — aimed at giving people an update on the bridge project. 

"We're always looking for feedback. This is a once-in-a-lifetime project," said the group's director of communications, Mark Butler.

The first public information session was held in Windsor on Tuesday at Mackenzie Hall. 

"There's certainly people who are interested in what we're doing for the environment. Some people are just interested in the engineering aspects of the project. Anything we can do to keep people informed. We want to do that," said Butler.

The WDBA announced in 2015 that three groups had made the shortlist for the bridge's construction. Butler acknowledged that little information regarding the "procurement process" has been relayed to the public.

"It's been a while ... We will be making an announcement of who the winning proponent team will be in June of this year. Then shortly after that, we're going to start early work ... for construction of the actual bridge itself. And in September, we'll be doing the contract signing."

Fred Cowell has lived in Windsor for more than 80 years. He was born and raised during the opening of the Ambassador Bridge. He said he hopes the Gordie Howe bridge project can meet the WDBA's proposed deadlines.

"Knowingly, other construction jobs ... is supposed to be done in three weeks. It's [actually] three months. So I hope there's a penalty involved if it doesn't happen and it doesn't take 10 more years to do rather than five," he said. 

On Wednesday, a public meeting will be held at El Bosque, located at 6705 W. Lafayette Blvd. in Detroit. 

Part of the meeting will include a presentation.