Local politicians and union leaders are making sure there will be community benefits with the new Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Windsor and District Labour Council President Brian Hogan and other union representatives met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday.
Hogan says they stressed the importance of community benefits.
"Certainly we think there should be community benefits for the life of the bridge which means for decades on like casino Windsor," says Hogan. "We also reminded him about the expansion of the Ambassador Bridge that there is no community benefits there."
Windsor-West MP Brian Masse says he's glad the project is moving forward, but will continue to push for community benefits.
"It's got to be measured though with what we can do to improve our quality of life for this community whether it be Sandwich town, south Windsor or the jobs it creates," says Masse. "To me I'm excited that we got another box checked off but I'll continue to do the work necessary to make sure the border is efficient."
Masse says the government still has to look at improving quality of life for communities like Sandwich Town and south Windsor.
"The border should never be a burden and that's why we have to make sure that it really translates into better quality of life for all of us," says Masse.
As heard on AM800 News, Trudeau was in Windsor on Friday taking part in a number of events including the ground breaking ceremony for the Gordie Howe Bridge and a tour of the Windsor Assembly Plant.
— with files from AM800's Teresinha Medeiros & Peter Langille