Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) was recognized recently with the Environmental, Social and Governance Performance of the Year award at a virtual ceremony hosted by P3 Bulletin.
The Canadian Crown corporation was honoured for work on the Gordie Howe International Bridge – a massive public-private partnership project.
A new category for 2020, the award recognizes an organization’s policies and their benefits for stakeholders, operators, users, and the wider community. The Gordie Howe International Bridge project includes a comprehensive environmental program that addresses over 450 conditions identified in the bi-national environmental assessment process.
It also includes a Community Benefits Plan that creates opportunities to enhance economic, social and environmental conditions. Both plans were developed as a result of hundreds of consultation meetings with Michigan and Ontario residents, Indigenous Peoples, business owners as well as community and municipal leaders.
“We are honoured to be acknowledged by P3 Bulletin with its first ever Environmental, Social and Governance Performance of the Year award,” said CEO Bryce Phillips. “WDBA has placed a high priority on the environmental, sustainability and social components of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project recognizing that in addition to a new bridge, we can generate further positive outcomes and opportunities for the Windsor-Detroit region.”
The P3 Awards reward the best in Public-Private Partnerships (P3) throughout the Americas. Entries in 18 categories are judged by a panel comprised of more than 80 industry professionals representing both the private and public sectors.
At the 2019 awards ceremony, project was named Best Road/Bridge/Tunnel Project and WDBA won the Government Agency of the Year award, presented to a government agency that has provided exemplary project leadership in promoting innovative deal structures and timely, efficient delivery of infrastructure projects in Canada, the United States or Latin America.
The Canadian and US Port of Entry facilities are designed to meet LEED v4 Silver rating and the bridge and Michigan Interchange are designed to meet Envision Silver rating, both of which will ensure longevity while minimizing environmental impact.
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is a not-for-profit Canadian Crown corporation created to deliver the Gordie Howe International Bridge project between Windsor, ON and Detroit, MI through a public-private partnership (P3).