Gordie Howe Pier officially installed, opening expected this week

The Gordie Howe Pier at Queen’s Dock is set to open soon after it was officially installed on Tuesday. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco has the details.

A new addition to Windsor’s waterfront is now in place. The installation of the Gordie Howe Pier at Queen’s Dock was completed Tuesday.

“Today is a culmination of about a year’s work to bring it to this point,” said structural engineer, Will Tape.

Crews began putting the new Gordie Howe Pier in place early Tuesday morning. The pedestrian pier extends into the Detroit River without touching water and is designed to be fully accessible and free to access.

“We wanted to ensure that even though there’s private ownership in the area that we’re able to give them a safe place to go that’s well lit, with benches, places to rest and enjoy,” said harbourmaster Peter Berry.

Officials said the design of the pier is culturally respectful and will feature Indigenous artwork and interpretive signage.

“There is a strong position that the native people have rights over the water and to show our respect for them as part of this work, we’re ensuring that we do not go into the water,” Tape said.

A bridge connecting the two piers allows for fishing and offers a great view of the Gordie Howe international Bridge.

The project cost comes in at over $2 million. About $1 million of that was taken care of by the Gordie Howe International Bridge, while 16 suppliers donated time and material to create a new opportunity along Windsor’s riverfront.

“We have a ton of people and companies have come forward and donated and gave us the steal, the work that they are doing at discount, so it’s really helped us be able to afford to put in this beautiful pier,” Berry told CTV News.

He said the pier is off limits for now, at least while work to install a walkway continues.

He suspects the pier will be ready and open to the public Thursday, if the weather cooperates before then.

“Then we’ll close again in the spring as we go to finish the groundwork here, install the new seating areas and the decorative rocks and shrubs,” he said.