Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) signed a fixed-priced contract with Bridging North America to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. The announcement means that all contractual steps have been completed and construction can begin.

The fixed-priced contract is valued at $5.7 billion (nominal value), which includes the design-build phase and the operation, maintenance, rehabilitation (OMR) phase.

Artist's view of the cable-stayed bridge. Source: WDBAThe bridge project includes the construction of a six-lane, cable-stayed design bridge of 853 m (0.53 miles) and a total length of approximately 2.5 km (1.5 miles). Canadian and U.S. ports of entry include approach bridges, border inspection plazas and tolling operations on the Canadian side; and a Michigan interchange connecting Interstate 75 to the U.S. port of entry.

Under terms of the deal, Bridging North America will receive progress payments during construction and a completion payment at the end of construction. It also will receive monthly payments for operations and maintenance over the 30-year concession (operating) period.

Bridging North America has presented a 74-month construction schedule to complete the four components of the project. The bridge is expected to be in service by the end of 2024.

Prime team members include: ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc., Dragados Canada Inc., Fluor Canada Ltd., AECON, AECOM, RBC Dominion Securities Inc., Carlos Fernandez Casado and FHECOR Ingenieros Consultores, S.A., Moriyama & Teshima, and Smith-Miller+Hawkinson Architects.

The bridge will be publicly owned by the governments of Canada and Michigan.