The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is moving forward — that was the message delivered Tuesday night to Detroit-Delray residents at a public meeting dealing with the project.
About 100 people packed into the hot Delray Community Center to hear from Canadian and US officials.
Detroit-Delray residents meet at the Delray Recreation Center for an update on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project (Photo by AM800's Rob Hindi)
Senior Project Advisor Andy Doctoroff says Transport Canada's permit approval for a new Ambassador Bridge will not impact construction of the Gordie Howe bridge.
"The recent permitting does not change a thing about our project, the Gordie Howe International Bridge project," says Doctoroff.
Meanwhile, it's a tale of two different stories for residents living near the proposed Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Some residents who attended the public meeting voiced concerns about the project and the way have been treated while others are giving the thumbs up and are pleased with how the process has gone.
Mark Roland has lived in the Delray area for 44 years and believes his neighbourhood hasn't improved since construction started.
"The people left and it's got worse since the construction because now we have more people that are filtered through our neighbourhoods and there's more drug use and there's more illicit activities going on and there is no police presence," says Roland.
This Detroit/Delray resident says she is so grateful for M-Dot & Canada but slams Detroit. @rhindi800 reporting pic.twitter.com/NCYBfv9vS4
— AM800news (@AM800News) September 26, 2017
Linda Pierce lives in the Delray area and signs off on her property this Friday.
She says she's losing her home, church and community centre but does see the light at the end of the tunnel.
"When the demolition, I call them the big monster would come and tear down a piece, but after he left and it was clear land and the trees and flowers were showing, I just knew to say thank-you God, thank-you for the Canadians," says Pierce.
Detroit-Delray residents speak out at a public meeting dealing with the Gordie Howe International Bridge project (Photo by AM800's Rob Hindi)
The meeting was put on by the Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition.
The coalition will meet again next month at the Delray Recreation Center.