Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority awards $86M in contracts

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority has awarded three contracts worth a combined total of $86 million for construction related to the final step in site preparation onthe Canadian side of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

• Gordie Howe Bridge Authority ready to take on Moroun over land needed for crossing

• Trudeau-Trump joint statement affirms confidence in Gordie Howe bridge project

Much of the work involves moving overhead power lines underground and connecting to new transmission towers.

Prysmian Cables and Systems Canada Ltd. will cover the cable and accessories, Valard Construction LP will relocate the transmission lines and Amico Infrastructures Inc. and Mid-South Contractors Ltd. will team up to deal with distribution line relocation.

"The second stage of preparatory works is another step in delivering Canadian and U.S. sites that are ready for construction to our eventual private-sector partner," said MichaelCautillo, President and Chief Executive Officer of the WDBA. "The more work we complete now, the more quickly our partner will be able to begin construction after financial close."

More than 7km of cable

This is the second time Amico, based in Oldcastle, Ont., has won a multi-million dollar contract for work on the bridge.

In September 2015, the local company was awarded $59 million to construct a perimeter access road and for utility relocations and fill placement on the Canadian port of entry site.

With this new contract, Amicowokers have already begunhelping move seven and a half kilometres of power lines underground, according to WDBA spokesperson Mark Butler.

• Amicolands contract worth nearly $60M for early works on GordieHowebridge

"They're digging the trenches, feeding them (cables) through andbuilding the conduits that actually go into the trenches, so it's a very precise job," he said.

Duncan talks tough during annual meeting

On Friday, WDBA chairmanDwight Duncan was talking tough about land acquisition for the spanduring the bridge authority's Annual Public Meeting.

All Canadian land necessary for the crossing has already been purchased, according to Duncan, along with 60 per cent on the American side.

As for concerns that Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Morounmight make it tough to pick up the remaining properties, Duncan said he was ready for a fight.

"We will win," he said. "Bring it on."