Windsor

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens says 'the bridge will be built' despite low loonie

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is a believer that a new Windsor-Detroit bridge is going to get built, even if a lagging loonie makes it a more expensive project to complete.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, shown above in a photo from last month, believes the government will proceed with the long-planned Gordie Howe bridge project, despite the falling loonie. (CBC)

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is a believer that a new Windsor-Detroit bridge is going to get built, even if a lagging loonie makes it a more expensive project to complete.

The Canadian Press reported Monday that government officials believe the falling loonie could push up the price tag on the Gordie Howe International Bridge by $2 billion or more.

Dilkens said too much work has been completed for the bridge project to be scuttled over cost concerns at this point.

"I really don't see them pulling the plug and stopping now," Dilkens told reporters on Monday evening. "They are on the way, the bridge will be built."

The mayor said there is a clear way for the government to recover its costs.

"We know they are going to have a revenue stream to pay those bills," said Dilkens, referring to the tolls that will be collected.

With files from The Canadian Press and the CBC's Derek Spalding