The long-awaited Gordie Howe International Bridge will officially open to traffic on July 27, after officials reached an agreement to resolve the dispute that delayed its debut.
The announcement was made Friday by the Canadian government, which said it had reached an agreement with the state of Michigan, with support from the U.S. government, to open the new crossing later this month.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for early June was postponed after the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority said the two countries needed more time to resolve “outstanding issues.” The delay followed President Donald Trump’s earlier threats to block the bridge’s opening.
Commercial traffic is now expected to begin before Aug. 1. The six-lane bridge spans the Detroit River between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich., and is expected to strengthen one of North America’s busiest trade corridors.
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Hundreds of millions of dollars in goods move through the Windsor-Detroit gateway each day, making it the busiest international land border crossing on the continent.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson said the bridge will create new economic opportunities while supporting supply chains and trade between the two countries.
“After years of planning, partnership, and construction, the Gordie Howe International Bridge will soon be opening — providing a new connection for the region, while strengthening one of the world’s most important trade corridors,” Robertson said in a statement.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers referenced the deal during an interview Friday.
“I had a conversation with the secretary yesterday, Secretary of Commerce Lutnick, and the deal will be announced in the next few days,” Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers said Friday on WJR radio. “This is getting wrapped up. That bridge is going to get open.”
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The bridge features an 853-metre main span, the longest cable-stayed bridge span in North America, and stretches roughly 2.5 kilometres overall. The project also includes new ports of entry on both sides of the border equipped with advanced screening and border management technology.
The federal government said the crossing is expected to support manufacturing, improve the movement of goods and increase the resilience of North American supply chains.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority will work with the U.S. government on certain toll-rate adjustments that are not tied to market conditions, the government said.
Officials say the new crossing will provide an additional option for commuters, tourists and commercial traffic while helping ease pressure on existing routes between Windsor and Detroit.
A date for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony has not yet been set.
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