I came across an interesting story in the Windsor Star. It highlighted what’s expected to be a high level of interest in the connecting Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. I found the article striking for a couple of reasons.
First, the bridge named after NHL legend Gordie Howe is a “signature-style bridge.” In fact, once completed, it will be North America’s longest cable-stayed bridge. If “signature bridge” rings a bell for you, chances are good you’ve been around Western New York since the late 1990s and remember the days when community leaders and residents were debating how best to build a new Peace Bridge between Buffalo and Fort Erie, Ontario.
In typical Western New York fashion, after debating several options, including a signature bridge design, the project never happened. Instead of a stylistic achievement that addressed a regional transportation need, we got a punch line that went something like, ‘Yeah, I’ll believe that when they build a new Peace Bridge.” The Windsor Star article wasn’t just focused on completing the bridge, a job that isn’t expected to wrap up until next fall.
The article actually focused more on the potential impact not just on truck and motor vehicle transportation across the span but also on something much more interesting — pedestrians and cycling enthusiasts. It turns out, officials in Detroit are expecting the new bridge to have an impact on local visitation and tourism. They’re planning for those who want t.