WAYNE COUNTY (WWJ) - Spectators from Detroit and Canada will soon be able to see the final column construction take shape at the Gordie Howe International Bridge as crews begin work to add the towers' final 262 feet.
Bridge officials announced the "exciting" stage in construction on Wednesday now that the lower portion of the towers, called lower pylons, was completed.
“It is an exciting time as the towers – arguably the most visible aspect of construction to date – move into the next and final build phase," said Bryce Phillips, CEO, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.
"With the towers currently standing at over two-thirds of their final 220 meters/722 feet height, they represent the significant progress the project team has been able to achieve.”
The project team will begin construction on the top of the towers, called the pylon head, and work will be visible from west Windsor and Southwest Detroit.
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Officials said the towers will take their final shape over the course of 2022 as both the lower pylon and pylon head are merged together, creating the design needed to contain the cables that will connect the towers to the bridge and decks.
“Bridging North America is completing a major engineering feat. The joining of the two tower legs will mean we’ve achieved an important milestone for the project," said Michael Hatchell, CEO, Bridging North America.
"BNA has been able to reach this point in the project safely and efficiently and is extremely pleased with the work of our team.”
Officials said just one tower will weigh close to 66 million pounds, roughly the equivalent to 165 jumbo jets.
Construction began on the lower pylons back in 2019. Upon completion of the pylon head, the bridge towers and cable system will be able to support over 34 millions pounds of weight.
Officials said residents and bridge enthusiasts can stay up-to-date in the latest construction activities on the Gordie Howe International Bridge website and social media pages.
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