Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the future publicly-owned bridge between Windsor and Detroit will be called the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Members of Howe’s family were on hand for the announcement in Windsor on Thursday.
“For my dad, it all started in Windsor,” says his son Murray Howe. “When I told him about, this my dad said, ‘Well that would be nice.’”
“He is deeply moved by this gracious gesture. Our mother and father’s goal was always to be a bridge between people, and especially a bridge between the people of the United States and Canada.”
The bridge will feature a total of six lanes, associated border inspection plazas, and direct connections to Highway 401 in Ontario and Interstate-75 in Michigan.
“”Mr. Hockey, one of the greatest players in the history of the game, is a proud Canadian who led the Detroit Red Wings to four Stanley Cup victories, building extraordinary goodwill between our new countries.” says Harper. “
Howe, also known as “Mr. Hockey”, was born in Floral, Saskatchewan. The 87-year-old played for the Detroit Red Wings from 1946–1971.
“It is my sincere hope that this bridge, which bears his name, will continue this proud legacy by accelerating the flow of people, merchandise and services between our great nations for years to come.”
The future bridge will be undertaken as a public-private partnership. It is expected to be completed in 2020 and Harper says it is on track. It is expected to create thousands of jobs on both sides of the border.
Transport Minister Lisa Raitt and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder were also at the announcement.
Snyder says the US had no role in naming the bridge.
“It was always only ever Gordie Howe,” says Snyder.
