Wednesday, December 21, 2022

New Detroit-Windsor bridge facing challenges


 Covid-19, supply chain issues and labour shortages are all challenges facing the companies building a new bridge between Windsor and Detroit that is scheduled to open by November, 2024.


The Gordie Howe bridge is a $5.7-billion project and Michael Hatchell, chief executive officer for Bridging North America said the challenges mean he doesn’t know yet whether the completion goal can be met.


“Has it impacted our schedule? Yes, it has. Are we trying to mitigate that as best we can? We are. We’re working with [Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority] to see what those impacts of COVID really are to the project. It’s not resolved yet, but it’s something we’ve realized, and we’re trying to work through,” Hatchell said.


Work is currently underway on the bridge tower legs on both sides of the river. The two legs have now joined together and are more than 500 feet tall. When complete, the towers will reach 722 feet.


Throughout 2023 more work will be done on the 35 cable stay anchor boxes that will eventually connect and support the bridge deck.


“We’re working back on the land side to the first set of anchor piers, you can see the deck going into place. Early next year, we’ll start going out into the river, and you’ll start seeing the cables come down to try to support that as we go,” Hatchell said.