New bridge to Windsor could take 7 years to build

But the motoring public needs to be patient. Huge infrastructure projects like this don't happen overnight.

Official documents reveal that building the NITC could take as long as seven years, from early approvals to final ribbon-cutting. That means that the new bridge would open to traffic around 2020. In their public statements, the U.S. and Canadian project teams have called a seven-year schedule "aggressive but achievable."

"We acknowledge that our estimated timeline of opening the NITC to traffic in 2020 is ambitious," said Jeff Cranson, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation. "But that's because it is so vital to the economy of the state, the region and our two nations."

At least one observer says that Canada, which is in charge of building as well as paying for the bridge, will easily beat the official seven-year schedule. Gregg Ward, vice president of the Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry, which carries hazardous materials across the river, said Canadian officials have the drive, determination and money to complete the high-priority project ahead of time.

"I think people fail to understand that Canada will be in charge of the delivery of this project, and their motivation is huge to get it done and for it to be operational," Ward said.

The key event that will start the clock is the issuance of a Presidential Permit by the U.S. government, which NITC proponents say they expect to get fairly soon, certainly in early 2013.

If that comes through, here's a rundown of what to expect over the next seven years according to what government officials have said in public documents.

Year 1: With Presidential Permit in hand, Snyder and Canadian authorities must finalize their contract to flesh out the Crossing Agreement signed last June. Canadian authorities will hire people for their Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority, the entity that will do the work. A contractor or team of contractors will be chosen in competitive bid to do the work.

Don't expect much actual construction in Year 1, although crews may begin to relocate utilities at the construction site. Authorities will begin to buy the property needed for the bridge approaches and customs plazas. Preliminary design survey work begins.

Year 2: Authorities will complete land acquisition for the span. Utility relocation continues. Design work for the service drives, ramps, etc. continues. Some early construction may begin if all the necessary right-of-way parcels are acquired.

Year 3: There's lots of work on the approaches in Year 3, including both design work and some construction.

Year 4: Architects and engineers complete their design for the main span. Construction of the main bridge segments begins. Authorities complete their final land acquisition. Contractors complete their cleanup of contaminated soil, if any, found on the site. Crews begin building the service drives.

Year 5: Construction continues on the main span and begins on the toll and inspection plazas.

Year 6: Construction continues on the main span and on the toll and inspection plazas.

Year 7: Contractors complete the main span, the plazas, local street improvements and the interchange ramps that connect the bridge to nearby freeways. When all is finished, the new bridge opens to traffic.

MDOT's Cranson said the public can expect to be using the bridge by 2020.

"We are confident because the private sector, which will build this bridge, has demonstrated time and time again an amazing ability to come up with innovations and new technologies to exceed our expectations," he said.

Contact John Gallagher: 313-222-5173 or gallagher99@freepress.com