Since Lucas Legare was two years old, he’s been watching history in the making with nearly weekly visits to the Gordie Howe International Bridge — an example of the building anticipation for the bridge’s opening.
His grandparents Jeff and Sharon Marshall would pick him up and drive past the bridge almost every Friday. Their weekly tradition started in 2022, and in 2023 they started documenting it with photos. Like many others in Windsor-Essex, they’ve excitedly followed the bridge’ construction, from its towers to its connected span.
“As soon as [Lucas] spotted the towers, he’d say, ‘OK, let’s go to the bridge,’ and that was how it started,” said Sharon.
The family found a side road close to the Gordie, where they would park their car, get out and check-in on the progress.
“I’ve always liked construction and building things with Lucas, it’s a hobby that we do,” Jeff said about sharing these moments with his grandson. “And to see this actually happen, I thought it was kind of exciting and he just loved it.”
‘Lots of anticipation’ as Gordie Howe bridge inches toward meeting in the middle
His mom, Brittany Legare, said she looked forward to hearing about the bridge’s progress from Lucas. And his dad, Matt Legare, said the process included all of his favourite things.
“He’s always been big into construction, like diggers, cranes and excavators,” said Matt. “So I think the sight of that for him was always cool to see up close.”
Lucas told CBC News that his favourite part of watching the construction process were the elevators that moved up and down to help build the towers, along with the moment when the Canadian side and the U.S. side finally met.
“We saw the crane hold the last piece together,” said Lucas.
After seeing an old photo from opening day of the Ambassador Bridge in 1929, Sharon said she was encouraged to start documenting their frequent visits.
“Years from now, he can look back on those pictures and just reflect on the time he spent with us and how we watched a piece of history grow together,” said Sharon.
After word got around about Lucas’ curiosity and passion for the bridge, he was invited by officials for a behind-the-scenes visit where he learned even more about the structure.
All of this buildup means Lucas has had lots of time to consider how he wants to cross it for the first time. The answer? On his bike.
“‘Cause by car it’s a little faster and [you] see more stuff when you’re going slow,” he said.
And after years of anticipation, the now six-year-old thought he might finally be able to cross the bridge this spring, but a delay announced late last week means he’ll have to keep admiring it from afar.
When asked what he’d say to the people behind the bridge opening, Lucas shouted “open the bridge!”
“I just really love it,” he said, adding he felt sad when he heard it wouldn’t be opening because he really wants to go across.
As he looked up in awe at the span, with his grandparents on either side, Sharon looked at him and said they just have to keep their fingers crossed, “that it’s going to be soon.”
“Soon,” said Lucas, as he waved both hands in the air with his fingers crossed.
