The Gordie Howe Bridge Across the Detroit River…Will It Ever Really Happen?

Jack Lessenberry Politics & Prejudices

For nearly twenty years, a battle has raged over building a new bridge across the Detroit River. The Ambassador Bridge is nearly ninety years old, in questionable shape, wasn’t built for today’s huge trucks and is in a location that, given today’s traffic patterns, doesn’t make much sense. But it is also privately owned. And its owner, 92-year-old billionaire Matty Moroun, has spent millions fighting every attempt to build a new bridge – even though Michigan business interests have been nearly unanimous in saying a new bridge is needed. If something happened to the Ambassador now, the economic consequences would be devastating for both nations, but especially Michigan and Ontario. Well, eight years ago then-Governor Snyder came up with a way to build a new bridge. And after delay after delay, ground has been broken for a new Gordie Howe international bridge, which is now supposed to be finished in 2024. But is that finally a sure thing? Is there any way something could still stop this bridge from being built? Are there jobs available working for it? And – is Matty Moroun going to build a new bridge too? We have a panel of true experts joining us. On the phone, we have Mark Butler, the director of communications for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, the group building the Gordie How bridge. And also Dave Battagello, the reporter for the Windsor Star who has been covering bridge issues for years. In the studio with me is Brian Masse, the member of the Canadian Parliament for the part of Windsor that includes the bridge, and last but by no means least, Gregg Ward, the co-owner of the Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry, and a man who has always supported a new bridge, even though it may put him out of business.