The three shortlisted proponents looking to be awarded the contract to build the new Gordie Howe International Bridge must keep community benefits in mind.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority announced the "i-care framework" which stands for integrated, collaboration, accessible, region and enterprising.
It is part of the criteria the proponents need to consider when submitting their bids for the project.
Bridge Authority Chair Dwight Duncan says the new bridge will benefit the region, above and beyond, the bridge itself. "This is all about ensuring that the community benefits from this project, both in terms of the construction period and leading off the construction period and that the community has adequate opportunity to influence the site plan and all of these kinds of things."
"The project isn't just about the actual bridge construction," says Duncan. "Think of better sewer lines underground that you won't see and that can accommodate the neighbourhoods and landscaping on the site, imagine the storm water detention ponds. And built into the RFP are a lot of community benefit requirements that the proponents need to address."
The authority hopes to award the contract to the winning proponent in May-June of 2018 and then construction should begin in the summer of 2018.
Conceptual design of the Gordie Howe International Bridge (Photo courtesy of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority)