WINDSOR, ONTARIO – Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) announced today that it has issued the Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting Proponents to submit formal proposals to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge project will address four regional transportation needs at the busiest trade corridor between Canada and the United States. It will provide a new crossing option, highway-to-highway connections, modernized border processing facilities and capacity for future traffic growth. The new bridge will make it faster, simpler and safer for both people to travel and goods to flow between Canada and the United States, enhancing trade and tourism.
The 18-month RFP stage is the second phase in WDBA’s competitive procurement process to select a private-sector partner. The three Proponents – Bridging North America, CanAm Gateway Partners and Legacy Link Partners – were pre- qualified through the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) stage. The entire procurement process is overseen by an independent fairness monitor.
The RFP sets out the conditions and specifications required to deliver the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. The Proponents will prepare and submit their binding technical and financial proposals, including a fixed price and schedule. Each proposal will then be rigorously evaluated by a team comprised of WDBA officials, partner organizations and experts. A Preferred Proponent will be identified. Subject to reaching Financial Close and to appropriate approvals, this Proponent will become WDBA’s private-sector partner.
WDBA is committed to Windsor’s and Detroit’s economic success and as part of their proposals Proponents must include strategies to involve the region’s workforce. To assist with this important project priority, WDBA will host business-to-business meetings in Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan. These meetings will provide opportunities for the region’s business community, Indigenous communities and the Proponents to network and engage in introductory discussions on sourcing and vendor needs. Meeting details can be found at: www.wdbridge.com.
Quotes
“Today’s announcement represents yet another major milestone for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. A new border transportation system for the Windsor-Detroit gateway will make it faster, simpler and safer for both people to travel and goods to flow between Canada and the United States, enhancing trade and tourism. We look forward to hearing from the Proponents over the coming months to learn how they intend to deliver this project – a new true game- changer not just for the region, but also for Ontario and Michigan and indeed for Canada and the US.”
Dwight Duncan, Interim Chair, WDBA Board of Directors
“The Request for Proposals is perhaps the single most important document that WDBA will deliver. Much progress has already been accomplished on both sides of the border and we continue to work to prepare the sites for this historic infrastructure project in advance of the construction to be undertaken by the private-sector partner. I would like to thank WDBA staff along with our Michigan and US and Canadian federal partners for the tremendous effort they have put forward in getting the project to this critical stage.”
Michael Cautillo, WDBA President and Chief Executive Officer
“The issuance of the RFP represents a significant step forward towards the delivery of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. The International Authority is pleased to play an important role in the procurement process and the building of this historic bi-national infrastructure project which will benefit communities on both sides of the border.”
Kris Burr, Chair of the International Authority
Quick Facts
- The Proponent teams are comprised of Canadian, American and international companies.
- The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is the largest and most ambitious bi-national border infrastructure project along the Canada-United States border.
- The project includes four components – the Canadian and US Ports of Entry, the bridge over the Detroit River between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, and the Michigan Interchange connecting to Interstate-75 – and is part of new highway-to-highway border transportation system for the Windsor-Detroit trade corridor.
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Read about the Public-Private Partnership (P3) Procurement Process
Read about the Proponents for the Gordie Howe International Bridge Project
Read about Project Components and Features
About the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is a not-for-profit Canadian Crown corporation created to manage the procurement process for the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan through a public-private partnership (P3). WDBA is also responsible for project oversight.
The International Authority is a joint Canada-Michigan governance entity established to oversee and approve key steps in the public-private partnership (P3) procurement process for the Gordie Howe International Bridge. It is also responsible for monitoring compliance of WDBA with the Crossing Agreement signed by Canada and Michigan.
For more information on WDBA visit www.wdbridge.com and follow WDBA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WDBAbridge.