Bridge to Canada developers say project on schedule

WINDSOR (WJBK) - Work is well underway on a brand new bridge to Canada across the Detroit River.

"The project itself is around 60 million dollars," said Dominic Amicone, president of Amico Infrastructure. "It lasts until the end of this year and then encroaches on into next year. The job is relatively large for this area."

The total cost of the Gordie Howe International Bridge wasn't on the table during the latest tour of the massive construction project.

"What I can tell you is what the cost is to date of this early works, which is what we are focusing in on," said Michael Cautillo, president CEO Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority.

That cost is roughly $150 million -- going into building the entry points of the bridge and moving around existing utilities to accommodate the bridge.

It may not look like anything more than a pile of dirt but in a year's time, it will be the plaza for cars entering and leaving Canada. The bridge, however, is still years away from completion.

"The bridge itself is going to take about 4 plus years to actually construct," Cautillo said. "And we have to get to selecting a contractor and then it's beyond that."

Which means no one is sure what this bridge will look like when it's done. As for the other side of the equation, the Americans are still in the process of buying up properties for its entry and exit plaza.

"We have approximately half of the properties that we need acquired already," said Andy Doctoroff, special projects advisor to Gov. Rick Snyder. "There are 600 parcels and the remaining properties will be acquired in due course again as projected as planned."

All parties insist there are no hiccups in the progress of building a bridge and are extremely pleased in the progress thus far.