Even More Stories

I really do enjoy writing a whole bunch of articles for one big Blog file.  It just feels being so productive to be able to do that. After all, I read something interesting and I just feel like sharing it with so many people who look at my website. 

So here come a whole bunch of new stories and my comments for you to consider. 

BIG COST INCREASES 

I really should no longer find it strange that the cost for building a construction project is extremely high. How many times have we seen that the estimated cost of a project is a lot less than what the bid prices are from the various bidders. 

Here is just another example of the awarded cost being a lot higher than what the estimate was. 

"River Canard bridge to undergo $500,000 rehabilitation 

The county will spend almost $500,000 to keep the historic bridge over River Canard in tip-top shape...

Because the bridge is located near provincially significant wetlands that require “significant dust control measures,” bids came in significantly above the engineer’s estimate of $400,000 for the work."  (Julie Kotsis, Windsor Star, March 16, 2016)

WHAT OTHER WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE 

This ought to scare everyone. Does it mean that one ought to expect a whole bunch of other work be done on this underground tunnel because of its age. We have already seen massive amounts of work that are taking place at the Ambassador Bridge because of its aging: 

"The Windsor-Detroit Tunnel will be closing overnight five days a week beginning in August for replacement of its original concrete roof. 

“It’s a scheduled project and if you look at tunnels in the United States and Canada they have a lifespan, just like the roof on your house has a lifespan, and so this is just a scheduled replacement,” said tunnel president Neal Belitsky... 

This will be the first time the tunnel will be closing for work since 1993 when the road was resurfaced." (Chris Thompson, Windsor Star, March 16, 2016) 

It will be an interesting project. One can only hope that it is handled smoothly. After all, such a project has not been handled for a very long time at the Tunnel: 

"This will be the first time the tunnel will be closing for work since 1993 when the road was resurfaced." 

IF ONLY THE GOVERNMENT MICHIGANDERS KNEW THAT THEY ARE NEVER BUILDING A BRIDGE 

Or maybe a whole bunch of them know that already! 

It is so silly now. Michigan is not going to build a "second," new bridge a couple of miles away from the Ambassador Bridge. At least, that is my opinion. If I'm right, then there was no need to publish a story like this: 

"State wants Moroun trucking terminal for Gordie Howe Bridge 

Another dispute is building between the State of Michigan and Manuel (Matty) Moroun involving the Gordie Howe Bridge; this time, it's the state wanting to take some of the Ambassador Bridge owner's property in southwest Detroit. 

The state says it needs a portion of a 42-acre trucking terminal Moroun owns to build an approach to the new Gordie Howe Bridge, a project the trucking and shipping magnate has strongly opposed because it will rival his Ambassador Bridge...  

“Obviously, we got to have it,” said Mohammed Alghurabi, a project manager for the Michigan Department of Transportation. “If you’re going to build your river-crossing span, you have to connect it to your approach.” (Joe Guillen, Detroit Free Press March 14, 2016) 

Just relax, Mohammed. As far as I'm concerned, the road for the 2nd bridge, right beside the existing Ambassador Bridge, is practically finished now so there is no need for a new approach. Why do you think that this road has been built in first place!  

Seriously, why would a Government want to spend $5 billion plus for a bridge across the River when one can build the Ambassador Bridge 2nd bridge for about a 10th of that cost i.e. for only around $500 million.

As I read in a different article, do you really think that there would be a whole bunch of people who want to invest in a big project. This quote ought to help you: 

"Canada Pension, like many other large global investors, would rather acquire mature infrastructure assets than finance new projects because they’re safer, Wiseman said." (Scott Deveau, Bloomberg, March 16, 2016) 

DO WE WANT EXPENSIVE HOMES IN WINDSOR 

Of course we do, right!  We buy a house at a low price and then, as its cost increases rapidly, we make a fortune.  Absolutely perfect, right.

Well, consider this that suggests prices being reasonable makes a lot more sense: 

"Windsor has become an attractive destination for Syrian refugees living in more expensive regions of Canada because of its affordable housing and its multicultural community 

Omar Farzat recently arranged for his cousin's family to move from Toronto, largely because of inexpensive housing. 

"They can get settled easier," he told CBC News. "They can get a cheaper house, cheaper stuff, so it's better for many aspects..." 

Officials in Windsor do not have the number of refugees who have moved to the city from other regions in the country, but it happens regularly, according to the New Canadian Centre of Excellence." (CBC News, March 23, 2016) 

When you get people from other areas who want to succeed in the new one that they have found, then everyone here prospers.  That's my opinion anyway! 

MORE OF MY REVIEWS  NEEDED

I better start writing more ASAP. 

Why? Here's a note I received from "tripadvisor" about an article I wrote for them: 

"You're in the top 25%   

With 5,309 readers, you're one of the most popular reviewers in Windsor. Keep those great opinions coming. Plus, each review gets you closer to your next level with TripCollective, our contributor recognition program." 

DOWNTOWN PURCHASE INCENTIVES 

Wow, I did not realize that the City of Windsor might help people buy their homes downtown soon. Gee, if I had known that, why would I have moved to Tecumseh even if it is such fantastic property in this part of the Province. 

Nope, I could have stayed downtown and allowed the City to help the finance a new home there and offer all kinds of incentives. I could have shopped at places that the City would help finance as well: 

"Study looks at boosting downtown Windsor residency 

The city is looking at offering tax incentives and home improvement grants that would encourage people to move downtown. 

A study is underway, examining how to boost residency and business operations in an area that hasn’t seen a lot of growth. 

“We’re anticipating that at the end of the day, it will lead to a community improvement plan that will allow for financial incentives,” Neil Robertson, the City of Windsor’s manager of urban design, said Tuesday. “It would be safe to say we’re going to end up with some incentive program around encouraging residential development to attract people downtown, and probably a retail component, too.” (Craig Pearson, Windsor Star March 22, 2016)