Name for the New Bridge

**MikeyinBrooklyn** · June-17-12, 02:15 AM

I am soliciting for fun names for the new bridge. I am NOT soliciting opinions about the bridge/location/Matty/Snyder/financing. Worthy topics that already have existing dedicated threads.

My preference is for historical honorary names. I have 2 proposed names:

The Harriet Tubman Bridge. Detroit to Windsor [[via boat) was the great escape for slaves through 1865. Commemorating the Underground Railroad and a great woman, and a period of conflict, courage, blood and hope for both nations.

The Normandy Bridge, commemorating the great many American and Canadians who fought together on the beaches of France. And we are losing the remaining soldiers so quickly. Dedicating the bridge to them could be a final thank you to that generation. It would also be a nod to our 2 nations French heritage.

**gnome** · June-17-12, 06:08 AM

We do have a solid history of picking some pretty good names: Mackinaw, Blue Water, Ambassador and in Buffalo they have the Peace bridge; so it will be tough coming up with a name that is memorable and fits.

If I were to set a list of requirements the name should speak to the region and its history more than a person just because a person is too personal. Someone is left out.

The Neighbors Bridge. I'd like to take the Neighbors to see the neighbors. It's friendly and smiley and bbquey and filled with imagery of people helping each other.

Another name might be the Quicken/Compuware Crossing just in case someone wants to pony up a billion or so for the naming rights.

**Meddle** · June-17-12, 06:28 AM

"In Your Face, Matty"

Be great to see that as you drive up to it from either side and every time a story mentions it in the news.

**gnome** · June-17-12, 06:33 AM

South Detroit could work too. At least it would help explain that Journey song.

**Kathleen** · June-17-12, 06:39 AM

The International Freedom Bridge.

**casscorridor** · June-17-12, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Kathleen

The International Freedom Bridge.

Freedom huh? Of trade, sure, but not free movement of people. How about the militarized border bridge? Or the deportation bridge?

**Gannon** · June-17-12, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by gnome

South Detroit could work too. At least it would help explain that Journey song.

Thanks for the belly laugh! I needed that, day after my marathon. [[this was a tough one, too).

Cheers!

**Scottathew** · June-19-12, 03:54 AM

Originally Posted by gnome

South Detroit could work too. At least it would help explain that Journey song.

LOVE THIS.

But since Canada is paying for it, I don't know if that will work.

**rb336** · June-17-12, 08:11 AM

I remember there was semi-official talk of calling it the Gordie Howe International Bridge

**Gannon** · June-17-12, 08:25 AM

Meddle beat me to it, that was the first inspiration, only mine was merely "Face", although to make it classy we can use another language. I'm sure our Canadian friends would prefer French, which would be "Visage".

I wouldn't mention the old bugger's name, though. That would just inflate his ego.

I DO so like the Harriet Tubman proposal. Bringing the Underground Railroad to such heights would give everyone involved the credit they so deserve.

Not excited about the Howe Span, though. I know hockey is popular on both sides...but bridges are basically eternal in human scale.

On that note, it was strange that a day after I drove over the Mackinaw Bridge, the Freep did a photo-expose of the history of when it was built. Original fee for cars $3.75. Today? $4.00.

The Visage aux De Troit. [[The Face of the Straight.) That sounds really nice. With a sub-title of Kathleen's suggestion...

Cheers from Duluth!
John

**rb336** · June-17-12, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Gannon

The Visage aux De Troit. [[The Face of the Straight.) That sounds really nice.

try Une masse d'acier et de béton enjambant le détroit

**canuck** · June-17-12, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by rb336

try Une masse d'acier et de béton enjambant le détroit

C'est une très jolie phrase rb336!

I thought maybe a Cadillacky reference might be good.

Montreal's two main spans are called Jacques Cartier and Champlain after the french explorer and colonial founder of New France.

Incidentally, the Champlain bridge is going to be rebuilt, or a new one will be built and then the old one demolished.

**townonenorth** · June-17-12, 07:20 PM

Molson Bridge

Canadian Club Crossing

Ford Ford

Fare Enough?

**townonenorth** · June-17-12, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Gannon

The Visage aux De Troit. [[The Face of the Straight.) That sounds really nice. With a sub-title of Kathleen's suggestion...

Cheers from Duluth!
John

Le visage de la ligne droite ? C'est une gifle à toutes les personnes à Ferndale célébrer leur fierté aujourd'hui, n'est ce pas ?

**Danny** · June-18-12, 12:03 PM

I would called it Rennaisance Memorial Bridge.

**Downriviera** · June-17-12, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by rb336

I remember there was semi-official talk of calling it the Gordie Howe International Bridge

I'd rather have it called the Bob Probert Bridge, since he is from Windsor and played in Detroit. Would have to be one tough bridge though.

**401don** · June-18-12, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by Downriviera

I'd rather have it called the Bob Probert Bridge, since he is from Windsor and played in Detroit. Would have to be one tough bridge though.

I assumed you meant because of the volume of drugs smuggled across.

**Meddle** · June-17-12, 09:00 AM

Referencing 'south' would also play into the geographic anomaly of being the only place where Canada is south of the U.S.

I don't like the concept of naming structures after people, no matter who they are or were or what they did.

**Gannon** · June-17-12, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Meddle

Referencing 'south' would also play into the geographic anomaly of being the only place where Canada is south of the U.S.

Actually, there is another.

Moons ago, I was taking the Maid of the Mist tour of Niagara Falls, and gasped when the beaut dialoguing said it was one of only two places where Canada was south of the US mainland. She laughed and said, looks like we have someone from Detroit here...

Cheers!

**JBMcB** · June-17-12, 09:32 AM

Not to be a party pooper, but since Canda is financing the thing, they are gonna get to name it, no?

Pont du Windsor?

**Thruster315** · June-17-12, 09:49 AM

The ABM Bridge with the ABM standing for Anything But Maroun.

**Wheels** · June-17-12, 09:02 AM

In respect to Delray

La Disparition Delray

The Delray Demise

**gnome** · June-17-12, 10:16 AM

I doubt that English-speaking Ontario is going to cotton to anything in French. We might think the whole Frenchy thing is a charming bit of quirky Canadianousness, but them folk down there take the French speaking issue pretty seriously.

**Gistok** · June-17-12, 11:58 AM

^ Sadly, I have to agree... freedom is the last thing I think about in regards to our cheerful Homeland Security folks who man the border controls.... "Checkpoint Charlie II Bridge" might seem more appropriate... with the Cold War type reception would get after crossing the new span.

Doing ones' job is one thing... but doing it with all the pleasantness of the former KGB or Stasi.... is another....