Windsor politicians push for more community benefits from Ambassador, Gordie Howe bridges
Amid reports of possible delays with the Gordie Howe Bridge Project, Windsor West New Democrat Brian Masse is pushing the federal government to provide any cost penalties levied upon the contractor to go back into the community.
The $5.7 billion public-private partnership with Bridging North America is currently under construction on Windsor’s west end, with a projected timeline for completion of November 2024.
Masse says the contractor is contractually obligated to hit that target. Failing that, the consortium of companies will be on the hook for late penalties.
Masse argues the longer the project takes, the more harm will be caused to the hosting community of Sandwich Town.
“Should the Gordie Howe Bridge not make the mandated timeframes that the contract that is signed had been there, that we want to continue these positive relationships that has been expressed right here, but the expectation is the resources would come to this community and not pad the wallets in Ottawa,” says Masse.
The Gordie Howe Bridge has already delivered millions of dollars in community benefits as part of its project requirements.
Residents and business owners in the west end believe the feds could turn a potential negative into a positive by diverting possible late penalties into a legacy fund.
“We're going to be here for 100 years. If the bridge is going to be here for 100 years, we should have some compensation for that over the next 100 years,” says local business owner, Mary Ann Cuderman.
Masse sent a letter to the federal government, including the prime minister, deputy prime minister and ministers of transport and public safety, urging them not to extend the 2017 Order in Council permit issued to the Ambassador Bridge Company to build a replacement span across the Detroit River.
“They have not done one iota for this community since they've been here,” says Cuderman.
The permit expires at the end of August and Masse says most of the dozens of conditions of that permit have gone unmet. Masse is asking “that you make amends to the community by investigating the expropriation and clean-up of speculative properties” in west Windsor.
“That is an abject failure, and it has a lot of repercussions to our community.”
“We need to look at turning the corner on improving this area,” says another business owner, Mike Cardinal. “I think the bridge needs to be held accountable.”
In a statement to CTV News, the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority, which is overseeing the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, wouldn’t confirm any delays.
“We continue to work toward opening the bridge to traffic by the contracted date of the end of 2024,” the statement reads. “With the COVID-19 pandemic and related safety precautions now at a steady state, we are actively assessing the potential impacts of the pandemic on the project schedule.”
The Ambassador Bridge Company did not respond to a request for comment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.
Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Trump campaign's 'eyes and ears' during 2016 race
A veteran tabloid publisher testified Tuesday that he pledged to be Donald Trump 's 'eyes and ears' during his 2016 presidential campaign, recounting how he promised the then-candidate that he would help suppress stories that had the potential to harm the Republican's election bid.