The opening of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor, Canada has been delayed to provide time for U.S. and Canadian officials to resolve outstanding issues, according to Canada officials.
The multi-billion-dollar, 1.5-mile long Gordie Howe bridge — projected to handle 400 commercial vehicle crossings per hour — was originally set to open June 12. Political leaders in the U.S. have questioned the fairness of the bridge deal.
In a press briefing Thursday, Matt Hall, speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, highlighted concerns about how and when toll revenues should be shared between the countries.
The U.S. is expected to receive a portion of the bridge’s operating revenue, but only after Canada had been fully repaid for financing and constructing the bridge, which could take decades.
Hall noted reports that U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick are "going to be leading the negotiations for the United States on getting a better deal."
A statement from the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority suggested that officials will work toward a new opening.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance also expressed readiness for the bridge’s opening and acknowledged the “immense complexity involved in delivering a transformational, generation-defining infrastructure project such as the Gordie Howe International Bridge.”
“As businesses and consumers continue to face mounting inflation and other pressures, our focus must remain on reducing supply chain costs and improving efficiency,” said Stephen Laskowski, president and CEO of the Canadian Trucking Alliance. “Protecting North American competitiveness requires practical, common-sense, and pro-growth solutions that support trade, investment, and affordability for consumers on both sides of the border.”
A 2021 report on the project indicated the new bridge would expedite crossing times for trucks, saving about 850,000 hours annually, translating to billions of dollars in economic savings over the crossing’s service lifetime.
For now, the vehicle traffic between Detroit and Windsor will continue utilizing the nearby Ambassador Bridge, which handles about 40,000 vehicle crossings daily. The privately owned bridge is owned by Moroun family, which also owns Warren, Michigan-based LTL carrier Central Transport and holds board seats with Universal Logistics Holdings and PAMT.
