WINDSOR, ONTARIO – Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) announced today that a significant milestone has been met in the public-private partnership (P3) procurement process with the selection of Bridging North America as the Preferred Proponent to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. Bridging North America’s design will see it delivered as a cable-stayed bridge.
Bridging North America was selected following a rigorous evaluation of the proposals submitted by the three Proponent teams invited to participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage. The criteria evaluated included: project schedule management, the design and build approach, durability of the infrastructure, community benefits, operation, maintenance and rehabilitation plans, measures to ensure compliance with architectural criteria, and the robustness of the financing plan.
“This is an exciting time for WDBA and for communities on both sides of the border,” saidDwight Duncan, Chair, WDBA Board of Directors. “The selection of Bridging North America as the Preferred Proponent is another step forward towards the start of construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge – the largest infrastructure project along the Canada-US border and one which will stimulate the economies in Canada and the United States.”
The technical and financial proposals were evaluated by subject-matter experts with extensive engineering and financial expertise and, as with the entire P3 procurement process, the evaluation was overseen by an independent fairness monitor who provided an independent opinion confirming the fairness, openness and transparency of the process.
Over the coming months, WDBA will negotiate final contract details with Bridging North America. The cost of the project, design details and expected construction schedule will be announced publicly following financial close which is expected by the end of September, signaling the contract has been awarded and signed.
“The momentum continues with the selection of Bridging North America as our Preferred Proponent,” said André Juneau, Interim CEO, WDBA. “Over 60 subject-matter experts undertook a rigorous evaluation process, putting in countless hours, to reach today’s decision. WDBA looks forward to the completion of the procurement process and to the start of construction later this year.”
The new Gordie Howe International Bridge will provide for redundancy at the busiest trade corridor between Canada and the United States with improved border processing and highway-to-highway international connectivity. It also addresses future needs and will provide six lanes to meet anticipated growth in traffic over the years to come.
Progress to Date and Next Steps
Windsor-Detroit-Bridge Authority (WDBA) has invested over $350 million to date in readying the Canadian and US lands required for construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. Much of this work has been completed by local companies and workers. More than 575 workers from over 50 companies have received environmental and, health and safety training allowing them to work on the Canadian site. In Michigan, 22 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) have been contracted to complete work at the US Port of Entry. Significant progress has been made in an effort to turn over a construction ready site to the Preferred Proponent – Bridging North America.
Canadian Port of Entry
Work is well underway to prepare the Canadian Port of Entry site for construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project later this year. Take a look at some of the Canadian progress highlights achieved to date:
- 3 km (1.8 miles) of new access road for adjacent businesses and properties completed
- Over 1 million tonnes of fill – equivalent to 34 shiploads – have been placed to grade and sculpt the site.
- More than 27 km (almost 16 miles) of cabling has been relocated.
- Over 902 tonnes of waste material has been collected.
- 3 transmission towers have been constructed as part of the hydro transmission and distribution activities.
- Construction of 2 new stormwater management ponds and rehabilitation of the Broadway Drain is complete.
- Over 6 km (over 3.5 miles) of gas lines have been installed to meet current and future needs.
- To date, more than 4.6 km (almost 3 miles) of exclusion fence has been erected to limit access to the site by species at risk, other wildlife and people.
US Port of Entry
Below are some highlights of progress achieved to date to prepare the US project site:
- 93 percent of properties required for US project components have been acquired/under control and required resident and business relocations have been completed.
- 255 buildings have been demolished on properties under MDOT’s control.
- Over 30,000 ft (almost 6 miles) of electric cables have been installed.
- Over 6,640 cubic yards of debris has been removed from vacant parcels of land.
- Over 4,600 trees have been removed from lands already acquired for the project.
- Construction of eight new sewer crossings on a portion of I-75 has been completed.
- Over 1,600 ft (over half a mile) of pipes and box culverts have been installed.
- Over 7,700 ft (over 1.5 miles) of gas lines have been installed to meet current and future needs.
Next Steps
Early Works To take advantage of the summer 2018 construction season, an Early Work Agreement will be signed between Bridging North America and Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. It is anticipated that Bridging North America will begin Early Work construction in July.
Quick Facts
- The Gordie Howe International Bridge project will be delivered through a public-private partnership according to a set contract value and timeline.
- The project includes the Canadian Port of Entry, the bridge, US Port of Entry and I-75 interchange.
- Construction of the bridge will begin in 2018.
- Key members of Bridging North America include: ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc.; Dragados Canada Inc.; Fluor Canada Ltd.; AECOM; RBC Dominion Securities Inc.; Carlos Fernandez Casado S.L/FHECOR Ingenieros Consultores, S.A.; Moriyama and Teshima Architects; Smith-Miller + Hawkinson Architects, LLP.
About 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, build, finance, operation and maintenance of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan through a public-private partnership (P3). WDBA is also responsible for project oversight. For more information on WDBA visit www.wdbridge.com and follow WDBA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GordieHoweBrg
Source: Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority