OTTAWA — The federal government has officially announced the appointment of Marie Campagna as the new chairperson of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) board of directors. This decision marks an important step in the ongoing development and management of one of North America’s most significant infrastructure projects.
Campagna, who has been a dedicated member of the WDBA board since 2017, has served as the interim chair since May 2024. With a career spanning more than four decades, she brings an extensive wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors. Her professional journey has primarily focused on finance and operational support, and she has accumulated a vast range of expertise across several industries, including healthcare, automotive, logistics, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Before joining the WDBA, Campagna held the position of chief financial officer and vice-president at Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare, where she played a pivotal role in the financial and operational management of the organization. Her leadership in this role demonstrated her capacity to handle complex organizational challenges and achieve successful outcomes, skills that will undoubtedly benefit her in her new position at the WDBA.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority is a Crown corporation established to oversee the planning, construction, and future operation of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. This major infrastructure project, which is set to open in the fall of 2025, will create a vital new crossing between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, enhancing trade and travel between Canada and the United States. Under Campagna’s leadership, the WDBA will continue to drive forward the completion of the bridge project, which has been developed as a public-private partnership (PPP) with the goal of improving the efficiency and safety of cross-border transportation.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is an ambitious $6.4 billion initiative, and upon completion, it will stand as the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America. It is also expected to become the largest Canadian Port of Entry along the Canada-U.S. border, providing a major new gateway for the flow of goods and people between the two countries. The project is expected to relieve congestion at existing border crossings and support the economic growth of the surrounding regions, including Windsor and Detroit, by improving connectivity and trade routes.
In addition to her experience and expertise, Campagna will work closely with Charl van Niekerk, the CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, to ensure the effective oversight and management of the project’s construction, delivery, and eventual operation. This collaborative leadership team will play a crucial role in meeting the project’s ambitious timelines and ensuring that the Gordie Howe International Bridge will be a modern, efficient, and safe crossing when it opens to traffic in 2025.
With her appointment as chairperson, Campagna is poised to play a pivotal role in the successful completion of one of the most important infrastructure projects in North America, helping to shape the future of cross-border travel and trade for generations to come.