Meet the people making countries connect by building the Gordie Howe bridge

On any single day, more than 2,000 people are working on the Gordie Howe International Bridge site, ports of entryand the Michigan interchange.

Around 42 per cent of the workforce are local to Windsor and Detroit. Meanwhile, workers from around the world including Ireland, Italy, Germany,Brazil, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon,India and morehave come to complete the bridge.

It has been under construction since 2018, with its opening currently slated for September2025.

AsWindsorites await the completion of this massive project, here's a look at some of the peoplemaking the project a reality.

'Passion' brings this engineer to big projects around the world

4 months ago

Duration 0:42

Jaime Castro is the lead engineer for the bridge construction. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is one of many high-profile projects on his resume.

Name: Jaime Castro

Where: Columbia and Germany

What: Bridge construction lead engineer

"I've had the opportunity to be in many countries in Europe working in similar projects," Castro said."I went to [the] Middle East, working a couple of countries in the Middle East, and then I moved to Asia. Iworkedin a couple of countries in Asia, [and also] in South Africa. So I've been in South America, as well in Central America, and I'm here in North America."

By anyone's standards Castro is a world traveller. Raised in Colombia and Germany, before studying civil engineering, his long career has led him to working in Windsor.

"Some people go chasing waterfalls, so I go chasing these type of bridges, and this will be the biggest international bridge in the world."

Lead field engineer says it's been 'amazing' to work on bridge in his hometown

4 months ago

Duration 0:28

Axel Habiyakare is the lead field engineer for the Gordie Howe International Bridge. He's responsible for the construction activities on the approach part of the bridge, leading from the Canadian port of entry to the anchor pier where the cables begin.

Name: Axel Habiyakare

Where:Windsor

What: Lead field engineer

Habiyakareis responsible for the construction activities on the approachpart of the bridge leading from the Canadian port of entry to the anchor pier where the 420-metrecables begin.

It's really a true testament to teamwork.- Axel Habiyakare

"This has really been a dream come true," he said."Being born and raised in Windsor, and to be able to contribute to something so important for my own hometownhas been very special."

While feeling proud about his contribution to his hometown,Habiyakaresaid that he also enjoys learning from colleagues from across the globe.

"It really is a monumental task and it takes people from really all over the world to come together with one goal and one purpose to make this happen," he said."It's really a true testament to teamwork."

High in the skies above the Detroit River, 'it's a lot of fun up there'

4 months ago

Duration 1:41

Tracy Robbinson is an apprentice with Ironworkers Local 700. Her job takes her to great heights on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.

Name: Tracy Robbinson

Where:Windsor

What: Apprentice withIronworkers Local 700

To some, those heights would be terrifying. Butnot for Robbinson.

"I love seeing Windsor because I grew up here," she said. "I know all the different parks, andI just love watching and seeing Windsor you can see so far away, too.On a clear day, you can see everywhere."

It's something that I could tell my grand kids about- Tracy Robbinson

"People are shocked that I could do stuff like this ...But I've been skydiving and and bungee jumping."

For Robbinson, her work has afforded her learning opportunities, and the sense that she might be part of history.

"Everywhere I go, everybody I talk to brings up the bridge," she recalled. "It's been a life-changer ... it's something that I could tell my grandkids about,[that] I hada hand in making this."

Tecumseh native says he's 'super lucky' to be part of Gordie Howe Bridge project

4 months ago

Duration 1:01

Tad Czubernat works for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority in a contract compliance role. He grew up in Tecumseh, Ont., and explains how he feels about the opportunity to work on this project so early in his career.

Name: Tad Czubernat

Where: Tecumseh

What:Windsor-Detroit BridgeAuthority

As an employee of the bridgeauthority,Czubernatis one of the people helping overseeingthe project and site.

Building the bridge is a massive job, and this is actuallyCzubernat's first in his professional career.

"I came here as a co-op student ... It's definitely a lot of good exposure for me and it's going pretty smooth sailing for the most part," he said.

"It's definitely a big shock, a huge, massive project, right.... It's basically creating the change of the skyline of all of Windsor."

LISTEN | CBC speaks with four workers who are helping build the new border crossing:

Windsor Morning9:11To the top of the Gordie Howe International Bridge