Project Charter

Gordie Howe
International Bridge
MCHE 508: Project Charter Report

Spring 2024

01/31/2024

Anusha Imran

C00551378@louisiana.edu

Atif Khan

C00552859@louisiana.edu

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 Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary .................................................................................................. 3

2 Project Justification ................................................................................................... 4

2.1 Project Statement of Work ................................................................................. 4

2.2 Business Case ................................................................................................... 4

3 Project Description.................................................................................................... 5

3.1 Project objectives and success criteria .............................................................. 5

3.2 Requirements ..................................................................................................... 6

3.3 Constraints ......................................................................................................... 6

3.4 Assumptions....................................................................................................... 7

3.5 Preliminary Scope .............................................................................................. 7

4 Risks ......................................................................................................................... 8

5 Project Deliverables .................................................................................................. 9

6 Summary milestone schedule ................................................................................... 9

7 Summary budget .................................................................................................... 10

8 Project Approval Requirements .............................................................................. 11

9 Project Roles and Responsibilities.......................................................................... 11

10 Stakeholder Register .............................................................................................. 12

11 Authorization ........................................................................................................... 13

12 References ............................................................................................................. 14

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1 Executive Summary
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a strategic infrastructure project that connects
Detroit, Michigan (USA), and Windsor, Ontario (Canada). It facilitates nearly 30% of the
truck-based trade between the US and Canada, making it one of the most vital
commercial land borders.

The Ambassador Bridge, which is 90 years old, facilitates all the traffic. Now it is facing
maintenance issues as well as capacity issues. If it is closed for 1 day, there will be a loss
of $1 billion.

The need for a new bridge arises to cope with these problems. The Canadian government
funds the project, and the payment will be recouped through tolls using the Availability
payment model. The project aims to meet transportation demands and enhance
connectivity and border efficiency. The project will generate significant employment
opportunities and alleviate traffic congestion, benefiting both the US and Canada. The
project is anticipated to be completed in 2025.

Figure 1: Location of bridge

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2 Project Justification

2.1 Project Statement of Work

It aims to provide a safe, efficient, and secure crossing for the movement of people and
goods across the Detroit River, thereby supporting the economies of both countries. The
project will undergo a multi-phase approach, starting with a Procurement and Design
phase between the years 2015 and 2018, where the project delivery method was
selected, the preferred proponent was identified, and the final design was approved.

The subsequent Construction and Operation phase, running from July 2018 to 2025, will
involve the building of the bridge, the ports of entry, and the interchange, as well as the
maintenance and operation.

The implementation of these strategies aligns with the project’s long-term objectives of
enhancing trade and transportation, creating jobs and opportunities, and protecting the
environment and communities.

2.2 Business Case

The bridge will provide a new and reliable crossing for the movement of people and goods
between Canada and the US, enhancing the trade and economic competitiveness of both
countries. It will address the capacity and security limitations of the existing Ambassador
Bridge, which currently handles more than 25% of the trade between Canada and the
US. It will offer a diverse and redundant transportation network for the Windsor-Detroit
region, reducing the congestion and environmental impacts of cross-border traffic.

It will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs during the construction and operation
phases, as well as opportunities for local businesses and communities to benefit from the
project.

It will incorporate innovative design and technology features to ensure its long-term
durability, safety, and efficiency. It will deliver value for money for the Canadian taxpayers,
as the project is financed by the private sector and the toll revenues will be collected by
the Canadian government. It is expected to achieve approximately USD 351.4 million in

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savings compared to conventional procurement approaches, delivering value for money
to taxpayers.

It will provide a direct freeway-to-freeway connection between Interstate 75 in Michigan

and Highway 401 in Ontario, which would improve the efficiency and security of the cross-
border movement of people and goods.

It will demonstrate environmental, social, and governance excellence through a

comprehensive Community Benefits Plan that addresses the needs and expectations of
the stakeholders on both sides of the border.

3 Project Description
The Gordie Howe International Bridge Project consists of a 2.5 km-long cable-stayed
bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan. The primary objective of the
project is to enhance the trade between USA and Canada, reducing the traffic congestions
and to boost the economy of both countries.

The project involves the construction of the port facilities, road improvements and tax
tolls. It will increase the mobility and accessibility of people and goods across the border.

3.1 Project objectives and success criteria

The objectives of the bridge include:

• A bridge between US and Canada

• To grow the economy by developing the bridge, enhancing the trade, reducing
environmental impacts, and improving the community.
• To create job opportunities in the construction and operation phase. The project
will be deemed successful if it meets the following criteria:

If the project is completed within the budget and the time, the bridge is completely
operational with full design capacity, construction is according to standards, bridge have
a positive impact on the economy, minimal impacts on the environment and the
community is satisfied from the construction.

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3.2 Requirements
Following are the requirements for the construction of the bridge:

• The construction of the bridge should be according to standards.

• It should be according to national and international regulations and should get
permits and approvals.
• Should have operational efficiency by installing advanced management systems,
cameras and other technologies.
• The construction should have minimum impacts on the environment.
• It should enhance the visual aesthetic.
• It should be accessible to cyclists, pedestrians and disable people.
• The bridge should be durable and safer and should resist seismic events.
• To make a maintenance plan so that the bridge should be maintained throughout
the lifespan of the bridge.
• To protect the users, safety features like lighting, railings and other emergency
response services should be installed.
• The bridge should be completed within the allocated budget.
• The construction of the project should be according to the jurisdictional
requirements of the USA and Canada.
• US Port of Entry to Interstate 75 will be connected by Michigan interchange which
includes bridges, ramps, and other drainage structures.

3.3 Constraints
Following are the constraints of the Gordie Howe International Bridge:

• The bridge should be completed within the budget.

• Should be completed within the given timeline, potential delays must be
encountered.
• Should conform to the environmental regulations.
• Should be able to mitigate the ecological impact during construction of the bridge
and operation.

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 • The pace and cost of the bridge may be affected by the availability of construction
materials.
• The construction may be slower due to extreme temperatures, rainfall, or storms.
• The project may face delays due to land acquisition and right-of-way permissions.
• The required approvals may be obtained earlier to prevent delays in the project.
• Problems in the technologies and delays in the supplies should be encountered to
prevent any delays.
• Government policies can affect the project.

3.4 Assumptions
Following are the assumptions of the project.

• Both the client and the contractor have signed the contract agreement.
• The design of the project is according to the client’s and stakeholders’
requirements.
• There are no environmental and geotechnical issues at the project site and is ready
for construction.
• All the stakeholders support the project.
• All the authorities have issued approvals to the project.
• All the equipment and materials are available for the project.
• Qualified and skilled labor is available for construction.
• All the risks associated with the project such as bad weather, accidents and other
issues are identified and mitigated.

3.5 Preliminary scope

Following components are included in the preliminary scope of the project:

• Construction, operation and maintenance of the bridge, US port of entry, Canadian

port of entry and Michigan interchange.
• Construction of a six-lane bridge having a clear span of 0.53 miles, making it
among one of the 5 longest span bridges in North America.
• To provide a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists.

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 • To provide intelligent transportation system and tolling systems and the ports of
entry.
• To construct the bridge according to standards, safe and efficient.
• To complete the project within the allocated budget and timeline. The bridge: A
single-span structure with six lanes for vehicular traffic, and a multi-use path to
accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.

The Canadian Port of Entry: The area is 53 hectares. It will have toll collection facilities,
inspection and other administration buildings.

The U.S. Port of Entry: The area is 60 hectares. It will have toll collection facilities,
inspection and other administration buildings.

The I-75 Interchange: A new connection to Interstate 75 in Michigan that will improve the
traffic flow and access to the U.S. Port of Entry.

4 Risks
Risks associated with the construction of the bridge:

• Due to extreme weather conditions, the project may be delayed from the project
timeline.
• The cost of the project may increase if there are political issues or other regulatory
issues.
• There might be a shortage of the construction material which will affect the cost
and schedule of the project.
• Market fluctuations due to economic conditions or other political reasons may
affect the budget of the project.
• There might be technical issues or other complexities which may require
adjustments in the project design which may increase the timeline or increase the
budget.
• The stakeholders may show resistance to the project which could affect the project
negatively and the scope of the project might be affected.

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 • The availability of skilled workers may affect the project.

5 Project Deliverables
The project deliverables are the tangible and measurable outcomes that will be produced
by the project. The project deliverables are:

• A cable-stayed international bridge that spans 2.5 kilometers (1.55 miles) and has
a tower height of 220 metres (722 feet).
• A 53-hectare (131-acre) Canadian port of entry that includes customs and border
facilities, toll infrastructure, and inspection plazas.
• A US port of entry covering 60 hectares (148 acres) and comprising customs and
border facilities, and inspection plazas.
• A 44-hectare (109-acre) junction in Michigan that connects the bridge to Interstate
75.
• A Community Advantages Plan explains the social, economic, and environmental
benefits that the project will provide to local communities, such as job
development, training, education, community partnerships, and environmental
improvements.

6 Summary milestone schedule

Project Milestone Year

Planning Needs and Feasibility Study 2001 – 2004

Presidential Permit April 12, 2013

Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority July 30, 2014

Bridge Naming May 14, 2015

Start Of Construction Oct 5, 2018

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 Community Offices March & August 2019

Stay Cable Installation Jan-2023

Completion Of Canadian Port of Entry Dec-2023

Completion Of US Port of Entry June-2024

Completion of 1-75 Interchange Sep-2024

Completion of Bridge Sep-2025

Opening of Bridge Sep-2025

Table 1: Summary Milestone Schedule

7 Summary budget
Project components Cost

Design and construction $2.9 billion

Operation and Maintenance $1.5 billion

Canadian Port of Entry $200 million

U.S. Port of Entry $250 million

Total $4.85 billion

Table 2: Summary Budget

Funding
The Canadian federal government would fund bridge construction, land acquisition in
Michigan and the construction of Interstate 75 on-ramps.

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8 Project Approval Requirements
The current project will be deemed successful after opening the bridge and following all
the security protocols on the border control of both the US and Canada, installation of the
e-toll collection system, should follow all the environmental regulations and safety
measures.

The project needs a Presidential permit from US Department of State, the US Coast
Guard, a crossing agreement between Canada and Michigan, P3 Agreement between
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) and Bridging North America. Moreover, it
should satisfy all quality assurance and safety standards.

9 Project Roles and Responsibilities

The project roles and responsibilities define who is involved in the project and what are
their duties and authorities. The project roles and responsibilities are:

Client: The Government of Canada, represented by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority

(WDBA), is the owner and the sponsor of the project, and is responsible for overseeing
the project delivery, monitoring the contractor’s performance, and paying the contractor
according to the project agreement

Contractor: The Bridging North America consortium, composed of ACS Infrastructure

Canada, Fluor Canada, and Aecon Concessions, is the developer and the operator of the
project, and is responsible for designing, building, financing, operating, and maintaining
the project according to the project agreement.

Project manager: Anusha Imran and Atif Khan are jointly supervising this project, and
are responsible for planning, executing, controlling, and closing the project, as well as
managing the scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, communication, and stakeholder
expectations.

Anusha will look after all the design, technical teams, approvals and agreements and
safety standards. Where Atif will take care of quality assurance budget, timeline,
stakeholder concerns, security concerns.
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 Project team: The project team is composed of the project manager, the project
engineers, the project coordinators, the project administrators, and other project staff, and
is responsible for performing the project tasks and deliverables and reporting the project
status and issues.

Project steering committee: The project steering committee is composed of the senior
representatives of the client and the contractor, and is responsible for providing strategic
direction, guidance, and support to the project, as well as resolving the project issues and
changes.

Project stakeholders: The project stakeholders are the individuals or groups that have
an interest or influence in the project, such as the public, the media, the regulators, the
suppliers, the subcontractors, and the consultants, and are responsible for providing
input, feedback, and approval to the project.

10 Stakeholder Register
The project involves multiple stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, as
well as the local communities on both sides of the border.

Some of the main stakeholders of the Gordie Howe International Bridge are:

Sr.
Stakeholder Description
no.
Canadian Crown corporation that is responsible
for the ownership, design, construction,
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
1 operation, and maintenance of the bridge. WDBA
(WDBA)
is also the lead agency for the environmental
assessment and consultation processes.
Private-sector consortium that was selected by
WDBA to design, build, finance, operate, and
2 Bridging North America
maintain the bridge through a public-private
partnership (P3) agreement.

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 US state where the bridge will connect to the
Interstate 75 highway. The state government,
through the Michigan Department of

3 State of Michigan Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan

Strategic Fund, is a partner in the project and has
agreed to provide land acquisition, utility
relocation, and permitting support
The federal government that initiated the project
and committed to fund the entire Canadian share

4 Government of Canada of the costs, including the construction of the

bridge, the Canadian port of entry, and the
Michigan interchange
The federal government that approved the project
under the Presidential Permit process and
5 Government of US
provided regulatory and environmental
clearances.
The municipal and county governments, as well
as the residents and businesses, that are directly
Local governments and affected by the project. They include the City of
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communities
Windsor, the County of Essex, the City of Detroit,
and Wayne County, among others.

Table 3: Stakeholder Register

11 Authorization
Crossing Agreement:

__________________________________________ Date: 06/15/2012

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Presidential permit:

__________________________________________ Date: 05/12/2013

12 References
https://cdn.gihub.org/umbraco/media/3751/gordie-howe-international-bridge.pdf

https://www.gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com/sites/default/files/2022-10/2021-
22%20WDBA%20Corporate%20Plan%20Summary%20v.Final%20ENG%20%28compr
essed%29.pdf

https://www.gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com/sites/default/files/documents/pdf-
version/en/Fact-Sheets/FS-Project-Components-and-Features-2017-07-30-FINAL.pdf

https://www.pmi.org/business-solutions/case-studies/gordie-howe-case-study

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