Local leaders, businesses anticipate economic shift as Gordie Howe Bridge prepares to open

The Gordie Howe Bridge has a new opening date set of July 27. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco has more.

While the politics of the deal are already drawing plenty of debate, Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens says he’s more focused on what the agreement means for the community.

“I think we’re all happy about that and it’ll be great for trade for our region which is really, really important,” Dilkens told CTV News.

From the initial conversation about a new crossing until now, the Gordie Howe International Bridge has been a quarter of a century in the making and is finally set to open later this month.

“We’ve watched together the pillars rise up out of the ground. We’ve watched the two halves meet in the middle, and then it stopped,” said Dilkens, who expects many will be interested in trying the new bridge for the experience.

“We’re anticipating there’ll be a downtick in business at the Windsor Detroit Tunnel which obviously impacts our bottom line here at the city.”

“On an annual basis, we give a dividend to the city so not only is it the easiest way to get across but you actually help save your municipal taxes because we pay a dividend to the city on an annual basis,” Tal Czudner, CEO of Windsor-Detroit Tunnel said.

When the dust settles, the CEO of the Windsor Detroit Tunnel Corporation hopes their international gateway remains the more popular crossing choice for passenger vehicles.

“I think people are going to check out the pretty puppy and they’re going to come down here and we’re still the cheapest way, easy access to all four major sports, the hospitals and really what brings people across the border.”

The deal that helped solidify the opening date of the bridge included the establishment of a 15-year economic development fund tied to a portion of profits from bridge operations.

“They’re going to get some money over the next 15 years for their economic development fund, but what wasn’t said, I think, will be equally important and that is what happens with the ownership of the Ambassador Bridge?” wondered Dilkens who suspects 50 to 60 per cent of traffic will move from the Ambassador Bridge to the Gordie.

“I think over time it will become more clear on what this is all about and I suspect in some way, shape or form it involves the Ambassador Bridge and the ownership of the Ambassador Bridge.”

In the meantime, Steve Kozma, business development manager at Morrice Transportation, looks forward to the relief lower tolls will bring to the company and its customers.

“It’s absolutely great for us.” Kozma said.

“It’s gonna hit right to the bottom line and be able to help us out with customers and be more cost comparable with everybody else.”

Kozma says the new bridge will be a time saver for his trucking company because it hooks right into the highway system in Michigan.

“It also helps with the lines. The lines being backed up taking hours to clear customs. This (the new bridge) will help.”

He’s hoping the help comes July 27 when the bridge is slated to open.

“At this point when the truck goes across, that’s when we’ll be satisfied. We’ll finally say, we made it.”