One Bridge on the Way, Another Still Possible on U.S.-Canada Border

"The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority has launched a request for qualifications for a 'private sector partner' for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, the planned second bridge between Detroit and Windsor, which is being financed by the Canadian government," reports Eric D. Lawrence.

"According to a Free Press report in May, Canada is paying all the up-front costs of more than $1 billion for the bridge, which is to be about two miles downstream of the Ambassador Bridge, because Michigan lawmakers balked at spending any money for it," adds Lawrence.

Back in May, John Gallagher reported on the fanfare surrounding the decision to name the new bridge after Detroit hockey legend Gordie Howe. Gallagher also followed up with another article suggesting that Detroit and Windsor should move forward with another proposal for a replacement for the existent Ambassador Bridge, in addition to the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. The Ambassador Bridge proposal involves a tumultuous relationship with the Moroun family, the owners of the bridge. One argument in favor building a second bridge, according to Gallagher: "Windsorites and Detroiters need a new central cities connection to get to and from jobs and homes in their respective downtowns. The Gordie Howe Bridge, which will connect Detroit's Delray district and Windsor's west end, will be convenient for long-haul truckers but perhaps less so for local commuters."