Canada on Friday celebrated the completion of a new bridge to the U.S. over the Detroit River, a multibillion-dollar, multiyear project that will serve as a critical path for trade and casual travel between the countries.
With the six-lane Gordie Howe International Bridge dominating the skyline behind them, officials lined up in Windsor, Ontario, to hail what one described as “one of the most significant infrastructure achievements in Canada’s history.” Traffic opens Monday.
“Some days are remembered because they mark the end of a journey. Others are remembered because they mark the beginning of something entirely new. Today is both,” said Chuck Andary, interim CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, which will operate the bridge.
Missing from the event: U.S. and Michigan representatives. Canada scratched a joint gathering after President Donald Trump this week suddenly announced 50% tariffs on Canadian goods entering the U.S.
A soloist sang the national anthem, “O Canada,” but the U.S. anthem was not performed.
“It’s regretful that we’re at this point in time with our trade relationship. We’re hopeful for better days ahead,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told WXYZ-TV in Detroit a few days ahead of the ceremony.
More than 70% of Canada’s exports go to the U.S., making America its largest trade partner, and Detroit is the No. 1 port for truck traffic on the U.S.-Canada border, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The Howe bridge will instantly create competition. For nearly a century, the privately owned Ambassador Bridge has been the only route for large commercial trucks moving between the U.S. and Canada at Detroit.
“It will be vital for our economy,” Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield said of the bridge, sidestepping a question earlier this week about whether it had become a “political football” in the rocky relationship between the countries.
The bridge is named for Howe, a famous Canadian who played hockey for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. He died in 2016. Construction, which began in 2018, took years, partly because of a global slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bridge is 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) long and rises 151 feet (46 meters) above the Detroit River at its highest point. Pedestrians and bicyclists carrying proper identification will be able to cross it for free in a few weeks.
Canada paid to build the bridge at an estimated cost of $6.4 billion. A recent agreement says Canada will share some toll revenue with the U.S. government for 15 years. Michigan will also get a share, but not until Canada’s costs are recovered, likely decades in the future.
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White reported from Detroit.
On Friday, Canada celebrated the completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a significant infrastructure project that connects Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, Michigan, over the Detroit River. This multibillion-dollar bridge is poised to enhance trade and casual travel between the two countries and marks a pivotal moment in Canada’s infrastructure achievements. The bridge will open to traffic on Monday, creating a vital new route for commercial and passenger vehicles.
The announcement of the bridge’s completion was made during a ceremony held in Windsor, where officials gathered against the backdrop of the impressive six-lane structure. Chuck Andary, the interim CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, emphasized the dual significance of the day, stating that it marks both the conclusion of a long journey and the beginning of new opportunities. However, the ceremony was notable for the absence of U.S. and Michigan representatives, as a planned joint event was canceled following President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a 50% tariff on Canadian goods entering the U.S., which has strained trade relations between the two nations.
The omission of the U.S. national anthem during the ceremony, with only the Canadian anthem being sung, further highlighted the tense atmosphere surrounding U.S.-Canada relations. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens expressed regret over the current state of trade relations but remained optimistic for future improvements.
Trade between Canada and the U.S. is crucial, with over 70% of Canadian exports going to the U.S. Detroit is a key port for truck traffic on the U.S.-Canada border, making the new bridge a significant strategic asset. The Gordie Howe International Bridge will introduce competition to the existing Ambassador Bridge, which has been the sole route for large commercial trucks between the two countries for nearly a century. Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield acknowledged the economic importance of the new bridge while avoiding questions about its political implications amid the challenging relationship between the two countries.
Named after legendary Canadian hockey player Gordie Howe, who played for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and passed away in 2016, the bridge spans 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) and reaches a height of 151 feet (46 meters) above the Detroit River at its tallest point. In a few weeks, pedestrians and cyclists with proper identification will also be able to cross the bridge free of charge.
Canada financed the construction of the bridge, which had an estimated cost of $6.4 billion. A recent agreement stipulates that Canada will share some of the toll revenue with the U.S. government for a period of 15 years. Michigan is also set to receive a share of the revenue, but only after Canada has recouped its construction costs, a process that is expected to take several decades.
In summary, the Gordie Howe International Bridge represents a critical development in the infrastructure landscape between Canada and the U.S., with the potential to significantly enhance trade and transportation. However, the current political climate and trade tensions cast a shadow over the celebration of this new connection.
