Canada's minister of transportation has made two things clear -- nothing will stop construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, and the Ambassador Bridge must be demolished.
During a stop in Windsor on Friday to meet with Mayor Drew Dilkens, Transport Minister Marc Garneau stated firmly that the construction of a new international crossing next to the Ambassador Bridge, will not affect the Canada's intention to build the Gordie Howe Bridge.
"Let me make it very clear -- we need two bridges. The Gordie Howe Bridge, I can assure you with 100% certainty, will be built," he said. "The Gordie Howe Bridge is a commitment of the Government of Canada."
The ministry expects work to begin on the Gordie Howe International Bridge before the end of 2018, the minster said.
Garneau also said construction of the Ambassador Bridge replacement span will not begin until the Canadian government is presented with permits and authorization to demolish the current bridge. Environmental assessments and engineering studies involving the costs will also need to be presented before construction of the new bridge will begin.
"The new bridge will not be used unless there is a clear commitment to remove the old bridge, after the new bridge is built," he says. "If the Canadian Transit Corporation is unable to provide us with that information, the new bridge will not be authorized."
Garneau said the conditions for the new Windsor-Detroit crossing are clearly laid out, one of which is the demolition of the Ambassador Bridge.
According to a release from Transport Canada, the Detroit International Bridge Company must “ensure the efficiency, safety and security of the crossing and mitigate the impacts of the project on the local community. The conditions include the dismantling of the existing bridge when the replacement bridge is open, improving local infrastructure, creating new public green spaces, and protecting the environment and considering Indigenous interests.”
The government announced its approval of the replacement span in early September. The new bridge will be six lanes, three in each direction with dedicated nexus and fast lanes. Construction is expected to take three years to complete.
When asked what the ministry would do if the Ambassador Bridge Company attempts to use a legal loop hole to prevent the current bridge from being torn down, Garneau said, "We will close the new bridge."
"[The Ambassador Bridge] will be a 90-year-old plus bridge, and we are not prepared to accept the risks of an unused bridge, which... has deteriorated over time," he said.