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78-584: In the early 2000s, work began on a planning a new crossing of the Detroit River between Detroit and Windsor. To coordinate the bridge's construction and management, the Windsor–Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) was formed in 2012, beginning work in July 2014. Lisa Raitt , then- Minister of Transport , appointed Michael Cautillo , Mark R. McQueen , William Graham, and Caroline Mulroney Lapham as

156-575: A cable-stayed international bridge across the Detroit River , currently under construction. The crossing will connect Detroit , Michigan , United States of America, and Windsor , Ontario , Canada, by linking Interstate 75 in Michigan with Highway 401 in Ontario (through the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway extension of Highway 401). The bridge will provide uninterrupted freeway traffic flow, as opposed to

234-524: A first-year investment of US$ 150  million, and an "ongoing annual requirement" of US$ 50  million, to cover the plaza's operational and staffing costs. On May 14, 2015, during an event attended by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, it was officially announced that the bridge would be known as the Gordie Howe International Bridge after Canadian ice hockey player Gordie Howe , whose celebrated career included 25 years with

312-590: A fully privatized company. The first Crown corporation was the Board of Works, established in 1841 by the Province of Canada to construct shipping canals. The first major Canadian experience with directly state-owned enterprises came during the early growth of the railways . The first Canadian Crown corporation after confederation was the Canadian National Railway Company , created in 1922. During

390-542: A mandate (by royal charter) to govern a specific territory called a charter colony , and the head of this colony, called a proprietary governor , was both a business manager and the governing authority in the area. The first colonies on the island of Newfoundland were founded in this manner, between 1610 and 1728. Canada's most famous and influential chartered company was the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), founded on May 2, 1670, by royal charter of King Charles II . The HBC became

468-505: A new alignment to the border. The parkway also features 300 acres (1.2 km ) of green space and over 20 kilometres (12 mi) of recreational trails, with seven bridges and two tunnels separating the trails from roads. Full construction of the parkway began in 2011, and was completed in November 2015 at a cost of CA$ 1.4 billion . Construction of the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway that links to

546-726: A publicly owned bridge would reduce his revenue. A Canadian federal Crown corporation , the Windsor–Detroit Bridge Authority , was established in 2012 to coordinate the bridge's construction and management. Environmental approvals and other permits were approved in the United States and Canada in the early 2010s. Lawsuits by Moroun alleged that the crossing agreement was illegal and the Ambassador Bridge had "exclusivity rights". These lawsuits were denied, along with various attempts to stop property expropriations, allowing

624-604: A relevant minister for the conduct of its affairs. Although these corporations are owned by the Crown, they are operated with much greater managerial autonomy than government departments. While they report to Parliament via the relevant minister in Cabinet , they are "shielded from constant government intervention and legislative oversight" and thus "generally enjoy greater freedom from direct political control than government departments." Direct control over operations are only exerted over

702-573: A specific form of state-owned enterprise . Each corporation is ultimately accountable to (federal or provincial) Parliament through a relevant minister for the conduct of its affairs. They are established by an Act of Parliament and report to that body via the relevant minister in Cabinet , though they are "shielded from constant government intervention and legislative oversight" and thus "generally enjoy greater freedom from direct political control than government departments." Crown corporations are distinct from "departmental corporations" such as

780-429: A story on November 2, four days before the vote, which indicated the amendment's "seemingly neutral language masks a very specific—and bitter—political battle". The ballot proposal was defeated by a 60 percent to 40 percent margin, paving the way for the project to proceed. In the 2010s, Moroun undertook several lawsuits alleging that the 2013 crossing agreement was illegal (and should not have been approved by

858-533: A symbol of modern Quebec, helping to create the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s where French-speakers in Quebec rose to positions of influence in the industrial economy for the first time, and Quebec nationalism emerged as a political force. This model followed by SaskPower in 1944 and BC Hydro in 1961. Other areas provinces were active in included insurance ( Saskatchewan Government Insurance , 1945) In Alberta,

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936-525: Is by chief bridge architect of AECOM, Erik Behrens . Each of its two A-shaped bridge towers, standing 220 m (722 ft) tall, is built on opposite banks of the Detroit River. The road deck itself is held up using 216 cable stays. It will have the longest main span of any cable-stayed bridge in North America at 853 m (2,800 ft), with a total bridge length of 2.5 km (1.6 mi). At

1014-585: The American Civil War , with ferries transporting goods and people across the river. A railway tunnel ( Michigan Central Railway Tunnel ) was opened in July 1910, a suspension bridge for road traffic ( Ambassador Bridge ) opened in November 1929, and a road tunnel ( Detroit–Windsor tunnel ) opened in 1930. The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest crossing on the Canada–United States border , with nearly 25% of U.S.–Canada border crossings by trucks using

1092-800: The Canada Revenue Agency . Crown corporations have a long-standing presence in the country and have been instrumental in its formation. They can provide services required by the public that otherwise would not be economically viable as a private enterprise or that do not fit exactly within the scope of any ministry. They are involved in everything from the distribution, use, and price of certain goods and services to energy development, resource extraction, public transportation, cultural promotion, and property management . As of 2022 , there were 47 federal Crown corporations in Canada. Provinces and territories operate their own Crown corporations independently of

1170-681: The Detroit Red Wings . In July 2015, WDBA began work procuring a consortium who would design, build and finance the construction of the bridge, as well as operate and maintain it over a 30 year period. The cost of building the Gordie Howe International Bridge escalated by CA$ 3.5 billion as the value of the Canadian dollar declined in 2015–2016. In January 2016, it was reported, due to exchange rates and increased inflation, costs could rise to CA$ 4.8 billion . In July 2016, it

1248-491: The Keystone Pipeline , the bridge, and other "insulting" decisions. In June 2012, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announced an agreement allowing the project to proceed. The Canadian federal government would fund bridge construction, land acquisition in Michigan and the construction of Interstate 75 on-ramps. The Canadian contribution will be repaid from bridge tolls collected on

1326-712: The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled against Moroun's attempt to stop expropriations on the Michigan side of the river, allowing construction of the U.S. plaza to begin. On July 5, 2018, WDBA was announced the consortium "Bridging North America" had been awarded the bridge contract, using a design, build, finance, operate and maintain structure. The consortium consisted of AECOM for design; Dragados Canada, Fluor Corporation , and Aecon for construction; and ACS Infrastructure , Fluor, and Aecon for operations and maintenance. Following construction, Bridging North America will receive monthly payments for operating and maintaining

1404-485: The Michigan Republican Party to prevent MDOT spending money on the bridge (even if MDOT would later be reimbursed by Canada) was reversed, allowing the project to continue. CA$ 20  million of community benefits for local residents on both sides of the Detroit River was also announced. In 2020, the design of new pedestrian bridges over Interstate 75 were unveiled, and work began on the foundations for

1482-527: The U.S. State Department ), as well as alleging that they had exclusive rights to a span connecting Detroit to Windsor. In 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear a challenge by Moroun regarding the choice of location for the bridge. In June 2016, the last of these lawsuits by Moroun was dismissed, allowing the project to continue. In 2018, the company aired television ads on Fox & Friends asking President Donald Trump to cancel

1560-539: The United States Coast Guard issued a bridge permit, the final federal approval required. A Canadian federal Crown corporation , the Windsor–Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) began work in July 2014 to coordinate the bridge's construction and management. The Canadian government allocated US$ 25  million to begin land acquisition on the Detroit side on May 22, 2013. In January 2015, Parsons Corporation

1638-435: The federal government of the United States and Government of Canada confirmed a new border crossing would be constructed between Detroit and Windsor. A bi-national committee was formed to manage the project. An extension of Ontario Highway 401 to the future bridge was also proposed – construction on this extension began in 2011, with the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway opening in 2015. The various environmental approvals for

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1716-542: The Ambassador Bridge. In 2022, the Detroit Free Press reported that Moroun's family were preparing a case for damages, following the acquisition of properties by eminent domain for bridge construction. Snyder stated that he had "not [been] crazy" about naming the bridge the Detroit River International Crossing, noting that "DRIC" was intended only to be the name of the commission sponsoring

1794-571: The Canadian Port of Entry. Other artworks are being developed, with Canadian artist Jordan Sook commissioned to create an artwork to commemorate the Underground Railroad . Sook was chosen from a selection of Canadian artists from the Black, African and Caribbean diaspora . Canadian artist Douglas Coupland has been commissioned to provide architectural lighting for the bridge. In Canada,

1872-673: The Canadian side of Moroun ownership of the Ambassador Bridge, began running advertisements against the DRIC proposal, calling it a "$ 2.2 billion road to nowhere". The phone number listed for Canadian Transit Company forwarded to a phone number in Michigan, and the Canadian Transit Company previously held its 2011 annual meeting at the offices of the Detroit International Bridge Company. MPP Dwight Duncan advised that he

1950-527: The Canadian side of the crossing. The project will include several pieces of public art . During construction, artworks by local artists were placed on the jump forms within which the bridge towers were built. The art on the Canadian bridge tower was undertaken by artists from Walpole Island First Nation and Caldwell First Nation , with the art on the American bridge tower undertaken by Roberto Villalobos, an artist from Southwest Detroit. Following removal,

2028-575: The Canadian side, and no tolls will be charged on the U.S. side. The crossing agreement also included community benefits for residents on both sides of the Detroit River, including improvements to local neighbourhoods affected by bridge construction. On April 12, 2013, the US Department of State and the Obama administration granted Michigan the permit required to build the bridge, allowing construction to go forward once details were finalized. In May 2014,

2106-504: The City of Detroit sold 36 city-owned parcels of land, underground assets and five miles of city-owned streets in the Delray neighborhood, which is the site of the U.S. Customs facility. A US$ 33  million neighborhood improvement fund for the neighborhood was set up. Residents of the area can stay and have their home renovated or move to a renovated home in a different neighborhood. In May 2018,

2184-477: The Detroit River. With traffic crossing the border expected to grow from 18,500 vehicles a day in 2016 to 26,500 by 2025, the Gordie Howe International Bridge will provide an orderly flow of people and goods between the two countries. Transport Canada retained the engineering firms, Morrison Hershfield , Davis Langdon , and Delcan to develop cost estimates for right of way and utility relocation; design and construction; and operation and maintenance on

2262-470: The E. C. Row Expressway. In the United States, the bridge will connect to Interstate 75 with dedicated ramps. 3 km (1.9 mi) of the highway is being rebuilt and widened, local roads will be improved and new pedestrian bridges will be built across the highway. Noise walls will also be built to mitigate impacts to the Southwest Detroit neighbourhood. The multi-use path on the bridge will be

2340-496: The East to create Canadian National Railways (CNR) in 1918 as a transcontinental system . The CNR was unique in that it was a conglomerate , and besides passenger and freight rail, it had inherited major business interests in shipping, hotels, and telegraphy and was able create new lines of business in broadcasting and air travel. Many of the components of this business empire were later spun off into new Crown corporations including some

2418-599: The Federal Highway Administration in a deal reached the week previous to the speech. In August 2011, Michigan State Senator Mike Kowall , when asked by the Windsor Star if enabling legislation for the bridge would currently pass, replied "absolutely not". In October 2011, the Michigan Senate "rejected a bill [that] would have allowed the state to accept $ 550 million from the Canadian government to fund

Windsor–Detroit Bridge Authority - Misplaced Pages Continue

2496-600: The Government of Canada to consider buying the Ambassador Bridge from Moroun. In a joint statement released after a meeting between newly elected U.S. president Donald Trump and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau on February 13, 2017, the two governments reiterated the support of the "expeditious completion" of the project. It was listed as a priority infrastructure project by the Donald Trump administration. In June 2017,

2574-547: The Michigan Department of Transportation to make way for the proposed new bridge. The group's state director said the fake notices were intended to get residents to contact state lawmakers, to ask them to vote against the bridge project. Americans for Prosperity charged that the project would be a waste of taxpayer money if toll revenues did not cover debt service. In July 2011, the Canadian Transit Company ,

2652-521: The Michigan Department of Transportation. It was estimated the bridge would generate $ 70.4 million in toll revenues in its first year of operation. In 2010, the Michigan Senate had not approved any authorizing legislation related to the bridge. The Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop had stated that the Senate would not vote until revenue forecasts were released, reports that were being withheld by

2730-581: The Official Opposition in the Canadian Parliament , noted that three of the first four appointees were donors to the Conservative Party of Canada . On January 1, 2016, retired Provincial Liberal Minister Dwight Duncan was appointed to be the interim chair of the Board. On December 14, 2016, he was appointed to a five-year term as the Board's permanent chair. In December 2021, Tim Murphy

2808-614: The actions of these organizations. The Crown is not liable for Crown corporations with non-agent status, except for actions of that corporation carried out on instruction from the government, though there may be "moral obligations" on the part of the Crown in other circumstances. Crown corporations are generally formed to fill a need that the federal or provincial government deems in the national interest or not profitable for private industry. Some Crown corporations are expected to be profitable organizations, while others are non-commercial and rely entirely on public funds to operate. Prior to

2886-467: The bridge on both sides of the Detroit River had been completed, with road deck construction underway. By November 2022, over 150 m (490 ft) of the bridge towers had been completed. The WDBA noted that the bridge could open in 2025 owing to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, however the builder of the bridge noted they were pushing for a 2024 opening date. By May 2023, cables used to hold up

2964-430: The bridge on the Canadian side was hampered by concerns it could affect Ontario's last known habitat of Butler's garter snakes . During the construction process, biologists relocated the snakes (including eastern fox snakes , and the garters—of which there were a larger number than originally thought), with their new habitats protected by a specially-designed above and below-ground fencing system along affected portions of

3042-548: The bridge over a 30 year period. Construction began on July 17, 2018, with groundbreaking by Minister of Infrastructure Amarjeet Sohi and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. On September 28, 2018, the WDBA announced the project would cost CA$ 3.8 billion to construct, part of a CA$ 5.7 billion contract with Bridging North America. The bridge was to be completed by the end of 2024. In 2019, preparatory work for major construction continued, with cleaning of contaminated land . An effort by

3120-553: The bridge over a 30 year period. Once the bridge is complete the WDBA will manage the bridge's operation, including setting and collecting tolls. Gordie Howe International Bridge The Gordie Howe International Bridge ( French : Pont International Gordie-Howe ), known during development as the Detroit River International Crossing and the New International Trade Crossing , is

3198-468: The bridge towers. Construction was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic , with changes to working practices, travel restrictions and material shortages. In January 2021, foundation work for the bridge towers had been completed, and construction of the 220 m (722 ft) bridge towers was underway. In March 2021, work began to construct the buildings in the Canadian port of entry. By March 2022, legs of

Windsor–Detroit Bridge Authority - Misplaced Pages Continue

3276-448: The bridge will connect to an extension of Ontario Highway 401 locally named the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway, on its east side. The parkway is below-grade and has six through-lanes. It follows (but does not replace) Talbot Road and Huron Church Road from a new interchange at the former end of Highway 401 to the E. C. Row Expressway , where it runs concurrently westward for 2 km (1.2 mi). From there, it turns northwest and follows

3354-483: The bridge, and not the bridge itself. Concerns were also acknowledged that the abbreviated name was too close to that of the Detroit International Bridge Company (DIBC)—that would be too sensitive given its objections to the project. Sometime afterward, the working name for the project became the New International Trade Crossing (NITC), garnering the endorsement of 139 organizations and individuals. It

3432-416: The bridge. The bridge has been criticized for its monopoly status (as no trucks are permitted to use the tunnel), private ownership by billionaire Manuel Moroun and poor maintenance record. Both the bridge and the road tunnel lack direct highway connections on the Canadian side, with city streets and traffic lights between them and Ontario Highway 401 . In the early 2000s, work was begun to investigate

3510-590: The construction of the Intercolonial Railway between them was one of the terms of the new constitution. The first section of this entirely government-owned railway was completed in 1872. Western Canada 's early railways were all run by privately owned companies backed by government subsidies and loans. By the early twentieth century, however, many of these had become bankrupt . The federal government nationalised several failing Western railways and combined them with its existing Intercolonial and other line in

3588-457: The construction of the bridge, US$ 20  million was allocated to various community benefit projects in both the United States and Canada. Projects included support for local community groups, improvements to local parks and trails, and improvements to local streets. Grants were also awarded for home improvements in Delray, and to Walpole Island First Nation. Contractors were also encouraged to employ residents of Detroit and Windsor, and

3666-401: The corporation's budget and the appointment of its senior leadership through Orders-in-Council . Further, in the federal sphere, certain Crown corporations can be an agent or non-agent of the Crown. One with agent status is entitled to the same constitutional prerogatives, privileges, and immunities held by the Crown and can bind the Crown by its acts. The Crown is thus entirely responsible for

3744-490: The country's share" of the bridge. One commentator, Bill Mann, noted the rejection, saying "Canada calls the new bridge its biggest infrastructure priority and has even offered to pay for the span. But pesky U.S. special-interest politics intrude once again," as he reviewed a number of "U.S. government actions (and inactions) that show little concern about Canadian concerns". Mann drew from a Maclean's article sub-titled "We used to be friends" about U.S.–Canada relations after

3822-469: The current configuration with the nearby Ambassador Bridge that connects to city streets on the Ontario side. The bridge is named after Canadian ice hockey player Gordie Howe , whose celebrated career included 25 years with the Detroit Red Wings , and who died two years before construction began. First proposed in the early 2000s, the project was met with prominent opposition by Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel "Matty" Moroun , who believed competition from

3900-479: The director of the Michigan Department of Transportation. The Michigan House of Representatives had already passed the measure while the bill was called "doomed" in the Senate. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder supported construction of the new crossing in his first State of the State address on January 19, 2011. His plan would leverage Canadian money to receive a 160 percent match—totaling $ 2.2 billion—on funding from

3978-487: The earlier part of the century, many British North American colonies that now comprise the Canadian federation had Crown corporations, often in the form of railways, such as the Nova Scotia Railway , since there was limited private capital available for such endeavours. When three British colonies joined to create the Canadian federation in 1867, these railways were transferred to the new central government. As well,

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4056-582: The excesses of the previous open market which had led to calls for prohibition in the first place. Virtually all the provinces used this system at one point. The largest of these government liquor businesses, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (founded 1927), was by 2008 one of the world's largest alcohol retailers. Resource and utility crown corporations also emerged at this time, notably Ontario Hydro and Alberta Government Telephones in 1906, and SaskTel in 1908. Provincial governments also re-entered

4134-418: The federal government. In Canada, Crown corporations within either the federal or provincial level are owned by the Crown as the institution's sole legal shareholder . This follows the legal premise that the monarch , as the personification of Canada , owns all state property. Established by an Act of Parliament , each corporation is ultimately accountable to (federal or provincial) Parliament through

4212-414: The federal level. Not only the federal government was involved, but also the provinces, who were in engaged in an era of " province building " (expanding the reach and importance of the provincial governments) around this time. The prototypical example is Hydro-Québec , founded in 1944 and now Canada's largest electricity generator and the world's largest producer of hydro-electricity. It is widely seen as

4290-492: The first board of directors of the WDBA. Of the board members, Cautillo was appointed the authority's president and CEO and McQueen was appointed chairman of the board. While recognizing that the individuals first appointed to the body on July 30, 2014, all had strong financial expertise, the Windsor Star noted that none of them had local ties to the Windsor region. Tom Mulcair , New Democratic Party leader and then- Leader of

4368-679: The first legal pedestrian crossing of the Detroit River, connecting to local streets and trails on both of its sides. The bridge will be part of the Trans Canada Trail , linking trail networks on both sides of the river including the Canadian Great Lakes Waterfront Trail , as well as the American Iron Belle Trail and the Great Lakes Way. Crossing the bridge on foot or cycle will be free. Alongside

4446-546: The formation of Crown corporations as presently understood, much of what later became Canada was settled and governed by a similar type of entity called a chartered company . These companies were established by a royal charter by the Scottish , English , or French crown, but were owned by private investors. They fulfilled the dual roles of promoting government policy abroad and making a return for shareholders. Certain companies were mainly trading businesses, but some were given

4524-544: The future bridge deck were starting to be installed. In August 2023, the US bridge tower reached its final height of 220 m (722 ft), with the Canadian bridge tower completed in December 2023. In October 2023, the WDBA explained that major construction would likely be completed by the end of 2024, with elements such as signs and lighting taking another six months to install. WDBA also noted that around 2,300 people were working on

4602-696: The highest point above the Detroit River, the bridge will be 46 m (151 ft) above the water. The bridge will have six lanes for automotive traffic, and a bicycle and walking path. On the U.S side, the port of entry will encompass 68 hectares (170 acres) with border inspection facilities, directly connecting to Interstate 75 with dedicated highway ramps. On the Canadian side, the port of entry will encompass 53 hectares (130 acres) with border inspection facilities, toll collection and bridge maintenance facilities. It will directly connect to Ontario Highway 401. The bicycle and walking path will connect to new and existing trails as well as bike lanes on both sides of

4680-482: The mid-century. The federal Post Office Department became a Crown corporation as Canada Post Corporation in 1981, and Canada's export credit agency , Export Development Canada , was created in 1985. Perhaps the most controversial was Petro-Canada , Canada's short-lived attempt to create a national oil Crown corporation , founded in 1975. The heyday of Crown corporations ended in the late 1980s, and there has been much privatisation since that time, particularly at

4758-487: The most important businesses in the mid-20th-century economy of Canada, such Air Canada , the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Via Rail , and Marine Atlantic . Provincial Crown corporations also re-emerged in the early 20th century, most notably in the selling of alcohol. Government monopoly liquor stores were seen as a compromise between the recently ended era of Prohibition in Canada and

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4836-407: The murals were subsequently donated to organisations and municipalities on both sides of the river. A piece by Canadian artist Sara Graham involves cast concrete patterns on the outside of a maintenance building. An 3 m (9.8 ft) high sculpture of tree bark by Anishinaabe artist Michael Belmore recognizes and celebrates First Nations , which will be visible as traffic enters and leaves

4914-442: The name would have been symbolic of him having come from Canada to spend his NHL career in Detroit. Crown corporations of Canada Crown corporations ( French : Société de la Couronne ) are government organizations in Canada with a mixture of commercial and public-policy objectives. They are directly and wholly owned by the Crown (i.e. the government of Canada or a province). Crown corporations represent

4992-465: The need for a future crossing of the Detroit River by a bi-national partnership of the U.S. Federal Highway Administration , Transport Canada , Ontario Ministry of Transportation and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). During development, the project was known as the Detroit River International Crossing and the New International Trade Crossing. In 2004, a joint announcement by

5070-466: The project to continue. The "Bridging North America" consortium was selected in July 2018 to design, build, operate and maintain the bridge, and construction began that month. The CA$ 3.8 billion cost of construction will be funded by the Canadian federal government, paid for by bridge tolls. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025. The passage across the Detroit River between the United States and Canada has been an important traffic route since

5148-499: The project were approved in both the United States and Canada in 2009. In 2009, the Ohio State Senate passed a non-binding resolution expressing support for the crossing, and urged the Michigan government to pass it, due to Canada being Ohio's largest foreign trade partner, with US$ 35.8 billion per year in goods traded between Ohio and Canada. In 2011, the bridge was tentatively scheduled for completion in 2016, according to

5226-573: The project. In late 2019, Trump signed the first U.S. funding for customs and border protection for the bridge into law. In May 2018, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled against Moroun's attempt to stop expropriations on the Michigan side of the river, allowing construction of the bridge to begin. Further efforts by Moroun to prevent construction were denied in June 2020. In July 2020, Matty Moroun died aged 93, with his family maintaining their ownership of

5304-483: The railway business as in Northern Alberta Railways in 1925 and what later became BC Rail in 1918. A notable anomaly of this era is Canada's only provincially owned "bank" (though not called that for legal reasons) Alberta Treasury Branches , created in 1937. The Bank of Canada , originally privately owned, became a Crown corporation in 1938. New crown Corporations were also created throughout much of

5382-418: The site at the peak of construction. In January 2024, the WDBA announced that the bridge would open by fall 2025, a delay of 10 months from the planned opening date owing to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also confirmed that the bridge deck would be completed in 2024. The two sides were permanently connected during the early morning hours of June 14, 2024. The cable-stayed bridge design

5460-539: The term public agency is used to describe "boards, commissions, tribunals or other organizations established by government, but not part of a government department." Crown corporations in Manitoba are supported by Manitoba Crown Services . Crown corporations in Ontario are referred to as Crown agencies . A Crown agency includes any board, commission, railway, public utility, university, factory, company or agency that

5538-498: The wider Metro Detroit and Essex County areas, alongside work to provide apprenticeships and training to workers. The most vocal opposition to the new crossing came from American billionaire Manuel "Matty" Moroun (1927–2020), owner of the nearby Ambassador Bridge. He sued the governments of Canada and Michigan to stop its construction, and released a proposal to build a second span of the Ambassador Bridge (which he would have owned) instead. Critics suggest that Moroun's opposition

5616-563: The world's largest land owner, at one point overseeing 7,770,000 km (3,000,000 sq mi), territories that today incorporate the provinces of Manitoba , Saskatchewan and Alberta , as well as Nunavut , the Northwest Territories , and Yukon . The HBC were often the point of first contact between the colonial government and First Nations . By the late 19th century, however, the HBC lost its monopoly over Rupert's Land and became

5694-485: Was announced many properties that would be required to build the bridge were still in the hands of private landowners. Some properties on the American side of the river were owned by Manuel Moroun, owner of the Ambassador Bridge. An estimated 30 of the 900 properties needed were considered to be problems if the owners resist selling. In July 2016, the CBC reported Dwight Duncan , the former finance minister for Ontario had advised

5772-755: Was appointed as the chair of the board, with Duncan leaving the post after 5 years. In July 2015, WDBA began work procuring a consortium who would design, build and finance the construction of the bridge, as well as operate and maintain it over a 30 year period. On July 5, 2018, WDBA was announced the consortium "Bridging North America" had been awarded the contract for the bridge, using a design, build, finance, operate and maintain structure. The consortium consisted of AECOM for design; Dragados Canada, Fluor Corporation , and Aecon for construction; and ACS Infrastructure , Fluor, and Aecon for operations and maintenance. Following construction, Bridging North America will receive monthly payments for operating and maintaining

5850-459: Was fueled by the prospect of lost profits from duty-free gasoline sales, which are exempt from about 60 cents per gallon in taxes even though the pump price to consumers is only a few cents lower. In early June 2011, the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity posted bogus eviction notices on homes in Detroit's Delray district. With the words "Eviction Notice" in large type, the notices told homeowners their properties could be taken by

5928-506: Was investigating whether or not the ads violated Ontario's election laws, which disallow public spending by foreign lobbyists. In 2012, Moroun spent more than US$ 30 million promoting a proposed amendment to the Michigan Constitution that, had it passed, would have required approval of both the voters of Detroit and the voters of Michigan in statewide elections to build the bridge. NPR affiliate network Michigan Public aired

6006-399: Was named the general engineering consultant for the bridge. On February 18, 2015, Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt announced Canada would fund the construction of a customs plaza on the U.S. side of the bridge in Detroit's Delray neighborhood. The plaza will have a budget of around US$ 250  million, and be recouped through tolls. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will provide

6084-612: Was under the NITC name that the project was approved by the U.S. State Department on April 12, 2013. In late 2010, David Bradley, president of the Ontario Trucking Association, proposed naming the bridge in honor of Canadian professional ice hockey player Gordie Howe, who played the bulk of his career for the Detroit Red Wings. The naming was supported by a number of Canadian politicians, along with Howe's son Marty —who felt

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