| Work Detail |
The most significant moment in the historic construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge is imminent with the long-awaited connection of the two bridge decks scheduled before the end of June 2024. The connection of these decks will subsequently connect the United States to Canada via Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, at about 46 meters above the Detroit River.
27 pre-designed deck segments averaging about 15 meters long and 37.5 meters wide have been carefully launched from either side of the river. They have also been sequentially supported from the tower by the parallel installed stay cables. With less than 11 meters to go, Bridging North America’s tireless site crews (BNA) are now making final preparations before work starts on the final segment. Known as the midspan closure, this segment is one of the most exciting and critical moments in the construction of every stay cable bridge.
“This last piece is not like the others they’ve pieced together more quickly. The last section is a custom job. It will be cut to fit and partially has to be adjusted depending on what the temperature is, “said David Henderson. Henderson is the CEO of the project contractor, Bridging North America.
“Achieving the bridge deck connection is monumental in the progress on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project,” said Charl van Niekerk, CEO, of Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA). “This new bridge is the physical representation of the international cooperation that exists between the neighbouring communities in Windsor and Detroit, throughout Ontario and Michigan, and across North America.”
Gordie Howe International Bridge to become the longest main span of any cable-stayed bridge in North America and the 10th longest in the world
Once connected, the Gordie Howe International Bridge deck will span a distance of 853 meters (0.53 miles). It will thus be the longest main span of any cable-stayed bridge in North America and the 10th longest in the world. Additionally, it will be the longest composite steel and concrete bridge deck for any cable-stayed bridge in the world.
The bridge is designed as a gentle curve, anchored at each bank by graceful towers. The two towers with their imposing height of 220 m, and fan-shaped arrangement of 216 cables (108 on each side) create majestic portals that launch the bridge deck across the river.
The deck floats high above the water in a smooth arch and transitions seamlessly into the side spans at either end. The side spans on each side of the river are completed by 27 pairs of stay cables and 3 pairs of ancillary piers. The piers are reportedly fitted with tie-downs that transfer the loads directly into the ground.
“We combined engineering ingenuity and aesthetics in a unique display of elegance here,” said the Architect of the Bridge Erik Behrens (AECOM). “The aesthetic appeal of this cable-stayed bridge lies in the extreme slenderness of the deck. The deck in combination with its stay cables provides an impression of gravity-defying lightness and transparency. The patterns of the white stay cables create ever-changing moire effects when viewed from different angles. In addition, they lend the structure a beautiful kinetic and sculptural dimension,” added Behrens. |
