Reprise: The people behind a most iconic international handshake

Talking Michigan Transportation

Talking Michigan Transportation
Reprise: The people behind a most iconic international handshake
Jun 12, 2026 Season 8 Episode 272
Michigan Department of Transportation

By now, you may have seen a photo taken high above the Detroit River of two iron workers, one from Canada and one from the United States, shaking hands to mark the completion of the deck on the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation with those iron workers, Jason Huggett of Canada and Casey Whitson of Michigan.
 
 Both are second-generation iron workers. Jason’s father helped build the twin span of the Blue Water Bridge linking Port Huron, Michigan, with Sarnia, Ontario. Casey’s father worked on the Renaissance Center in Detroit as well as Joe Louis Arena.
 
 They talk about what working on this once-in-a-lifetime project means to both of them and how honored each of them was to participate in the handshake.
 
 They each spoke about it to the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority after the handshake:
 
 Said Huggett: “I said it was about time we got to shake hands after seeing each other from a distance for almost two years, it was really something special. That handshake means a lot to my family, my two sons and my father, who helped build the twin span for the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia.”  
 
 And Whitson: “We would see each other, but we were far, across the river, apart for all these months working. To actually get to be able to meet each other and shake hands and say hello is really cool. It’s the biggest moment in my career and I now share something with my father, who helped build the Renaissance Center in Detroit.”  

Episode Artwork Reprise: The people behind a most iconic international handshake 19:50 Episode Artwork ITSA meetings to showcase transportation innovation in Detroit 30:01 Episode Artwork U.S. House makes progress on transportation funding 26:36 Episode Artwork Legislation aims to teach new drivers how to navigate work zones 33:01 Episode Artwork Three years later, is the hands-free law reducing Michigan crashes? 35:13 Episode Artwork What we learned from a Michigan maritime policy panel 34:45 Episode Artwork How MDOT is protecting people, animals and plants on Earth Day 2026 21:32 Episode Artwork Historic flooding takes a toll on roads and bridges across Michigan 24:56 Episode Artwork A look at crash fatality numbers and an update on work zone safety cameras 19:38 Episode Artwork Reprise: After a pandemic spike in crashes, 2025 stats show positive trends 45:42 Episode Artwork Why falling ice leads to closing the Mackinac Bridge 28:16 Episode Artwork What’s next for regional transit in southeast Michigan? 31:39 Episode Artwork Michigan panel boosts funding to rebuild major highways 19:37 Episode Artwork New mobility comes at a cost 25:41 Episode Artwork Reprise: Focusing on the work force as we enter a new road construction season 27:43 Episode Artwork Paying by the miles driven - where things stand 33:31 Episode Artwork Reprise: The people behind a most iconic international handshake 19:50 Episode Artwork Exiting STC chairman reflects on his tenure 24:24 Episode Artwork MDOT’s new chief administrative officer takes on a road user charge project 23:57 Episode Artwork Polar vortex, winter storms test driver responsibility 29:29 Episode Artwork What to expect as Congress looks to renew transportation funding 22:13 Episode Artwork An update on MDOT’s work with Michigan Central and rail service to Toronto 21:49 Episode Artwork MDOT director touts 2025 accomplishments 26:48 Episode Artwork Veteran MDOT leader reflects on a rich career in state government 23:09 Episode Artwork Study: Flashing LED lights can reduce crashes on curves 20:11