Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Gordie Howe International Bridge project team was recognized recently with a Brownie Award for its work redeveloping and revitalizing brownfield sites.
In partnership with the Canadian Brownfields Network (CBN) and Actual Media Inc., the Brownie Awards celebrate outstanding projects in Canada dedicated to rehabilitation of brownfield sites, land that was once contaminated, under-utilized or undeveloped.
Top honours in the Best Large Project went to the bridge project for the following reasons:
- the strategic acquisition of brownfield lands, formally associated with a coal-fired generation station that was used for disposal of coal ash, for the Canadian Port of Entry and bridge site
- extensive earthworks remediation and measures taken within the design and construction phase
- innovative approaches to obtain capital financing for economic and ecological restoration.
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge project embodies the essence of brownfield redevelopment,” says Clayton Sereres, senior director, regulatory compliance services at Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA). “The project is transforming multiple brownfield sites into a symbol of progress, sustainability and cross-border cooperation. We are proud to be recognized for the exciting progress we’ve made to date.”
Project team members include WDBA and consultants (Parsons, WSP, GHD and Jacobs), Bridging North America (BNA) and Michigan Department of Transportation and consultant (Mannik & Smith Group).
Delivered through a public-private partnership (P3), the team includes public-sector partner WDBA, and private-sector partner BNA.
“Together as project partners, WDBA and BNA are committed to building a sustainable future,” says Justin Kelley, Environmental Director at BNA. “Receiving a Brownie Award is a significant accomplishment. It validates all the hard work behind the planning, design and construction phases of this once-in-a-generation project.”
Earlier this month, the project received the inaugural National Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Award from the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP).
Also, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) presented its inaugural 2023 Brownfields and Infrastructure Phoenix Award this summer and in March, the project’s cross-border Environmental Management System (EMS) won a 2022 Business Achievement Award in the category of Project Merit from the Environmental Business Journal (EBJ).