‘I’m the architect of America’s longest £5bn cable-stayed bridge – here’s how we built it’ | World | News

Creating something out of nothing is one of life’s greatest achievements. And when that something is a stunning piece of infrastructure that connects two countries and will stand for generations, that achievement is even greater.

For Erik Behrens, a 50-year-old architect based in London, working on the Gordie Howe International Bridge has been just that – a once-in-a-generation project he’ll never forget. Born in Germany in 1975, Erik has always been drawn to design and creativity. He studied architecture at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, before launching an international career that took him from China to the UK and the Middle East.

Along the way, he worked on the London 2012 Olympic Park, Oxygen Park in Qatar, and the magnificent Arch of Qatar – a 100-metre tall cable-net structure in Doha.

But designing America’s longest cable-stayed bridge has been one of his most challenging and rewarding jobs to date.

Erik joined the Gordie Howe project back in 2015 after getting a call from the Chief Bridge Engineer Steve Stroh.

“I didn’t hesitate for a second,” he told the Daily Express. “What followed was a decade-long journey and involvement in a once-in-a-generation undertaking.”

The Gordie Howe International Bridge links Windsor in Ontario, Canada, with Detroit, Michigan in the US.

It crosses the Detroit River at one of the busiest border crossings in North America, with nearly 30% of all US-Canada truck trade passing through.

The bridge is named after Canadian ice hockey legend Gordie Howe, who played for the Detroit Red Wings and remains a symbol of unity between the two nations.

“When you look at the towers from certain angles, they resemble the curve of Gordie’s hockey stick mid-slapshot,” Erik said. “We wanted to honour his legacy in a way that felt meaningful and poetic.”

Construction on the £5 billion project began in 2018 and is due to be completed later this year.

The bridge is being delivered by Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), a Canadian Crown corporation, in partnership with Bridging North America (BNA) – the private-sector consortium responsible for designing, building, financing, operating and maintaining the structure for a period of 30 years.

Erik is working on the project through AECOM, the consortium’s design lead.

At 1.5 miles (2.5km) long, with an 853-metre central span, it’s the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America.

As the architect, Erik was involved in every stage, from early sketches to on-site implementation. 

“We put enormous effort into getting the visual quality right,” he said. “We wanted the bridge to feel elegant, almost gravity-defying. The pattern of the white stay cables creates moiré effects that change as you move past. It has a kinetic beauty.”

But building it came with big challenges. The structure had to span an international river without placing any footings in the water.

Different regulations, construction codes and customs requirements on each side also made the work more complex.

“We were dealing with two sets of everything – two governments, two sets of engineering codes, two units of measurement,” Erik said. “That added a lot of complexity to the planning and execution.”

The weather didn’t help either. “In winter, wind-chill temperatures dropped below -20C, with snow and freezing rain. In summer, the heat and humidity were just as extreme,” Erik explained.

“The ironworkers and site crews were incredible. They worked at great heights in all conditions. We had to install thermal encapsulation, frost-fighters and heating systems just to keep the project going.”

After years of hard work, the two halves of the bridge finally met in June 2024. “It was a historic moment,” Erik said.

“The crews from both countries shook hands in the middle of the river. The deck was finally one structure. That handshake was something I’ll never forget.”

Erik made regular visits to Detroit over the course of the project and quickly developed a strong connection to the city.

“Detroit has a rich history and a unique vibe,” he said. “At night, the city comes alive. Parking lots turn into rave venues, bike parades go by, and there’s music everywhere. It’s full of artistic expression. I really fell in love with the place.”

Now, with the bridge almost complete, Erik is helping finish off the final details. He’s working with Canadian artist Douglas Coupland on a lighting system that will illuminate the bridge in style.

“We’re focusing on the finishing touches,” he said. “The lighting will add another dimension. I’m looking forward to seeing how Douglas brings it to life.”

And for Erik, the project has been about much more than just steel and concrete.

“We wanted to create something that inspires and captivates,” he said. “Something that people can be proud of for generations. That’s the power of architecture. It tells stories, shapes cities and brings people together.”

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is set to open to the public later this year.