November 28, 2018

As money flows for Gordie Howe bridge project, local MP angry community benefits delayed

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There has been $630 million budgeted for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project to date, leaving local MP Brian Masse wondering exactly when the first dollar under community benefits will be spent to assist residents in Sandwich.

“Now would be good,” said Masse (NDP—Windsor-West). “How many more days will the people in Sandwich — which has some of the highest child poverty rates — not see any benefits from this massive construction project going on a kilometre away?”

Community benefits are a mandatory requirement under the $5.7-billion bridge project. The project’s contractor, Bridging North America, will spend $20 million to aid host communities on both sides of the border.

Officials from the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority were in Ottawa on Nov. 20 appearing before the standing committee of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities seeking final approval for an advance $283.6 million — a required step to receive the latest budgeted instalment from the $630 million of federal funds for the bridge project.

“They asked for a quarter billion with no thoughts provided when they will provide community benefits to the public,” said Masse, who attended the committee hearing.

“What they have promoted is more listening and discussions (on community benefits) when they have already been bulldozing on the west end for two years. It’s pretty bold to expect the community to live with these consequences.”

WDBA officials were in Ottawa last week to advance the latest instalment, which will cover project and construction costs, as well as the bridge authority’s operating costs, said Mark Butler, WDBA spokesman. The funding request was unanimously approved by the committee.

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