WINDSOR | New International Bridge Crossing | Approved for Construction

go_leafs_go02 · #1 Posted: **Jun 15, 2012, 5:04 PM**

http://www.am980.ca/channels/news/lo...spx?ID=1722118

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windso...r-detroit.html

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has formally announced construction of a new bridge linking Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan.

Quote:

A Canadian entity would handle design, construction and operation of the new span, which will connect Windsor’s west end to the Delray community in Detroit.

Also under the agreement:

Ottawa will make annual “availability payments” to fund the design and construction of the crossing well as for the ongoing operation and maintenance expenses during the terms of the public-private partnership agreement.

No tolls will be charged in Michigan for use of the bridge. Canada will charge tolls, which will be used to reimburse the Canadian government for the funds it spent to build the span.

Canada will pay all costs of the required land acquisition in Canada and Michigan. It also will pay to construct an interchange to connect the crossing to I-75.

The public-private partnership agreement and the request for proposals must contain provisions for community benefit plans and for the involvement of the impacted communities in Michigan and Canada.

Going to be quite a neat project to see in the next several years. Should be completed and fully open around 2017

go_leafs_go02 · #2 Posted: **Jun 15, 2012, 5:06 PM**

Canada's annexation of Michigan has begun!

haljackey · #3 Posted: **Jun 15, 2012, 7:11 PM**

This is great news but can't this thread be merged with the Windsor-Essex parkway?

go_leafs_go02 · #4 Posted: **Jun 15, 2012, 7:19 PM**

Two distinct projects if you ask me. Of course they're linked, and related, but I would think they're two different projects, especially from an American perspective.

Symz · #5 Posted: **Jun 15, 2012, 7:44 PM**

Finally.

north 42 · #6 Posted: **Jun 15, 2012, 8:06 PM**

I just can't wait to see what the final design of this bridge will be. I don't think that one has been picked yet, they just keep showing that one in the renderings, which was one of two that were proposed.

LMich · #7 Posted: **Jun 16, 2012, 12:26 AM**

No, no solid designs, yet. Just concepts. But years worth of preliminary work has been done that will allow for final designs to come along pretty quickly. One thing is already set, and that is that this will almost assuredly be a cable-stayed bridge.

What I'm really interested in is if this thing is still going to have sidewalks and allow bicycles? We were told in the pass that this was part of the plan, but things have changed so much, or rather things have been so up in the air, that there is no telling.

Anyway, happy day. You know, I basically disagree with this man on everything else, but a lot of credit has to be given to governor Snyder for having the bravery to stand up to the bought-and-paid for tea party Michigan legislature that had blocked this for years. And, a big up to subsequent Canadian governments for staying the course on this, and going so far as to take the initial financial hit for this to make this an offer we couldn't refuse. Locally, Michigan needed this badly. This is going to be one of the largest infrastructure projects on the entire contient for the next few years.

Now, on to the Continental Rail Gateway under the river, and turn the current Michigan Central Railway Tunnel into some other kind of crossing. It's also my dream that we can connect Amtrak and VIA services, again. It's long past time.

north 42 · #8 Posted: **Jun 16, 2012, 1:46 AM**

Thanks for the info, this will be a very interesting project to follow. I share your enthusiasm for what this will mean to both Michigan and Ontario, and especially Windsor and Detroit. Hopefully that old troll Matty won't cause too many problems with his slew of lawsuits that will soon be released.

sa230e · #9 Posted: **Jun 16, 2012, 8:04 AM**

Glad to see it finally get the green light!

I'd like to see it have sidewalks too although I don't know if there would be that much pedestrian traffic given that the bridge is situated in industrial areas on both sides of the river (which I think is a pity as Zug Island makes a pretty ugly backdrop for a sleek new cable-stayed bridge but really, where else you gonna put it?) On the other hand it probably wouldn't cost that much extra to add it.

I think they'd do well to incorporate rail into it somehow or design it so it can be retrofitted later to include a rail link. Like a double deck or something. If it takes that much wrangling to get a new crossing, I figure you might as well splurge on it.

Symz · #10 Posted: **Jun 16, 2012, 2:12 PM**

My prediction is you won't see any sidewalks on this bridge, it's a truck bridge, AND you won't see any rail on this bridge as well. It will be strictly 6, or 8 lanes catered towards big rig truck traffic, straight and to the point. There's no need for sidewalks because a) it's a bridge built to facilitate the trade of goods and b) when was the last time (outside of an event like Detroit Marathon) that they've allowed someone to talk across into the states? Thirdly the new bridge is located in nowhereland on the Windsor side and a modest neighbourhood on the Detroit side and not really anywhere near the urban setting in proximity to the two downtowns.

Cable-stay
6-8 lanes geared for vehicles and trucks, pedestrian access a no-go
no rail linkage (a new rail tunnel to accommodate double decker rail cars has been proposed for years at a different location)
Forget about pedestrian rail linkage in the new bridge corridor because our 2 governments don't think about stuff like pedestrian rail systems these days..

north 42 · #11 Posted: **Jun 16, 2012, 2:46 PM**

I agree, it is not in a location where it would warrant a pedestrian sidewalk, it's in an out of the way industrial area.

sa230e · #12 Posted: **Jun 16, 2012, 4:46 PM**

Yeah I know, I was just thinking aloud.

north 42 · #13 Posted: **Jun 16, 2012, 6:28 PM**

I just hope that they fix up the areas around the bridge entrances so that it doesn't look so gross and industrial. I know they can only do so much, but it would be great for both countries if they made an attempt to eventually clean up the area a bit and maybe plant lots of trees and do some naturalized landscaping. I hate the fact that Windsor and Detroit will look so industrial to people using this bridge, they might think the whole city is that way.

sa230e · #14 Posted: **Jun 17, 2012, 7:26 PM**

Anyone know what things will look like on the American side? How and where will it connect to I-75?

harls · #15 Posted: **Jun 17, 2012, 7:35 PM**

Will that old fart that owns the Ambassador Bridge be filing a lawsuit (I heard it was a given)?

His bridge is old, and will fall apart one day. Plus he's old. Why even bother? just because he's a billionaire and has nothing better to do.

RoseCityFreePress · #16 Posted: **Jun 18, 2012, 7:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by harls

Will that old fart that owns the Ambassador Bridge be filing a lawsuit (I heard it was a given)?

His bridge is old, and will fall apart one day. Plus he's old. Why even bother? just because he's a billionaire and has nothing better to do.

Oh im sure when the courts open up Monday morning there will be lawyers waiting at the doors in Windsor and Detroit on behalf of the Ambassador Bridge.

north 42 · #17 Posted: **Jun 18, 2012, 12:47 PM**

I'm sure they will try every trick in the book to get this bridge derailed, or at least postponed for as long as possible, but I don't think they have a chance in hell in succeeding.

Blitz · #18 Posted: **Jun 19, 2012, 6:44 PM**

I agree there won't be any pedestrian access - the location just doesn't warrant it.

There will be lots of landscaping around the customs plaza on the Canadian side to go along with the new highway connection so that should soften the look a bit. As you approach the bridge from the Canadian side, there's supposed to be a really nice view of the skylines (since traffic will be heading north on the upward approach before it curves to the northwest).

north 42 · #19 Posted: **Jun 19, 2012, 7:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitz

I agree there won't be any pedestrian access - the location just doesn't warrant it.

There will be lots of landscaping around the customs plaza on the Canadian side to go along with the new highway connection so that should soften the look a bit. As you approach the bridge from the Canadian side, there's supposed to be a really nice view of the skylines (since traffic will be heading north on the upward approach before it curves to the northwest).

That's cool that there will be a nice view of the skylines of both cities, with the Ambassador Bridge, the view of the skylines are partially hidden with that thick railing on the east side.

sa230e · #20 Posted: **Jun 20, 2012, 1:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blitz

I agree there won't be any pedestrian access - the location just doesn't warrant it.

There will be lots of landscaping around the customs plaza on the Canadian side to go along with the new highway connection so that should soften the look a bit. As you approach the bridge from the Canadian side, there's supposed to be a really nice view of the skylines (since traffic will be heading north on the upward approach before it curves to the northwest).

I'm not sure about that. Driving down E.C. Row towards LaSalle the skyline you see is that of Zug Island.

Not the best photo, I know.