en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting Detroit, USA, with Windsor, Canada, is largely complete and expected to open by the end of this month, following an agreement between US and Canadian officials that resolved a dispute causing the delay. According to two sources directly involved in the negotiations, commercial traffic is anticipated to begin by August 1, though the specific date for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony has not yet been determined.
The bridge was originally scheduled for an inauguration ceremony on June 12, but the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority stated that both countries needed more time to resolve "outstanding issues," leading to the postponement. This incident occurred after President Donald Trump previously threatened to block the bridge's opening. In February, Trump posted on social media, demanding that Canada transfer at least half of the new bridge's ownership to the US government and accept other unspecified conditions, as part of his broader trade conflict.
The 1.5-mile (approximately 2.4-kilometer) toll bridge spans the Detroit River, connecting the Motor City of Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Named after the late hockey legend Gordie Howe, who played for the Detroit Red Wings for many years, the project was negotiated by former Michigan Republican Governor Rick Snyder. Construction began in 2018, with a total investment of nearly $4.4 billion, funded by the Canadian side.
The bridge will operate under joint ownership between Canada and Michigan, and is expected to alleviate traffic pressure on the existing Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, serving as a vital economic artery between the two countries. Detroit and Windsor have been neighbors economically and culturally for generations; Windsor's population was approximately 230,000 in 2021. Commercial trade between the two cities has primarily relied on the nearly century-old, privately owned Ambassador Bridge, which is closer to downtown Detroit. Matthew Moroun of the Moroun family, which owns the Ambassador Bridge, donated $1 million to Trump's super PAC earlier this year.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, congratulated those working to open the bridge, praising it as a testament to the enduring partnership between Michigan and Canada. Previously, the delay in the bridge's opening had become one of the most closely watched issues in the US Senate race. Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers stated that he had communicated with Commerce Secretary Lutnick about the agreement, which is expected to be announced in the coming days.
