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In a celebratory atmosphere in the worn Delray neighborhood in Southwest Detroit, dignitiaries from Michigan and Canada, including Gov. Rick Snyder, lifted their shovels with bits of dirt in a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday morning for the Gordie Howe International Bridge that will run from Detroit to Windsor.
Rendering from the Detroit-Windsor Bridge Authority.
The ceremonial shovels not only represented the start of something big -- thousands of jobs on both side of the Detroit river -- but also, most likely, the end of Matty Moroun's dream of building a second bridge. Moroun hasn't abandoned hope of derailing the project, but his odds are quickly diminishing.
The 1.5-mile bridge, which will have six lanes, is being funded by Canada, and Gov. Snyder, during brief remarks, said Michiganians should be thankful for that. The bridge, which could cost as much as $7 billion to $10 billion, will be publicly owned by Canada and Michigan.
The latest completion target is 2022 at the soonest.
Kelly Craft, the U.S. ambassador to Canada appointed by President Trump last year, conceded that the neighbors' relationship has had its ups and downs. "Some may find it paradoxical that a Trump ambassador is here to break ground for a bridge, rather than, say making a wall. But the world is full of contradicitons."
The ceremonial dig.
Front row: Frormer Gov. James Blanchard (left) and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley.
Kelly Craft, U.S. ambassador to Canada.
Amarjeet Sohi, Canadian Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
Rick Snyder and James Blanchard, a Democratic predecessor, stand side-by-side.
Gov. Snyder poses.
Photo time.
