The Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting Detroit and Canada, is scheduled to open by the end of July after officials from the United States and Canada addressed outstanding issues that had delayed its original opening in June. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was initially planned for June 12 but was postponed to allow for discussions between Washington and Ottawa.
The bridge, which spans 1.5 miles and includes a half-mile cable-stayed section over the Detroit River, is the longest of its kind in North America. Approximately 25% of trade between the two countries passes through the Detroit-Windsor gateway, making this bridge a significant addition to North American infrastructure.
Construction began in 2018 following an agreement brokered by then-Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, with Canada financing the $4.4 billion project. The bridge will be jointly owned by Canada and Michigan. Previous comments from President Donald Trump expressed concerns about the U.S. being taken advantage of, which contributed to the delay. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated that the situation was not dramatic and expressed optimism about the bridge's opening.
Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers confirmed that an agreement had been reached and anticipated an announcement soon. The bridge will feature six traffic lanes and improved customs processing facilities to facilitate the movement of people and goods between the two nations.