BUSINESS

Bidding process opens for Gordie Howe International Bridge

The Canadian Press Published Monday, July 20, 2015 5:07PM EDT Last Updated Monday, July 20, 2015 8:34PM EDT

Windsor-Detroit bridge named after Gordie Howe

In this Thursday, May 14, 2015 file photo, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder (left to right), Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Murray Howe, Gordie Howe's son, announce that the Detroit River International Crossing will be named the Gordie Howe International Bridge. (Dave Chidley / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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OTTAWA -- The bidding process for the construction of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ont., opened Monday.

Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt announced Monday the launch of the request for qualifications process, which is the first stage to selecting a private sector company to participate in the project.

The bridge is named after Canadian Hockey Hall of Famer Gordie Howe, who spent much of his professional career with the Detroit Red Wings.

Raitt says the announcement is the most important milestone to date, while Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder says the bridge project will strengthen his state's economy and create thousands of jobs.

Howe, 87, continues to recover from a stroke, but his son called the naming of the bridge in May a "truly incredible" honour.

The project, which is designed to alleviate congestion along the privately owned Ambassador Bridge, is expected to cost well over $2 billion.