The Gordie Howe International Bridge between the US and Canada is now expected to open in September 2025, a delay of 10 months.
The bridge was originally set to open in November 2024, but disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed back the date and increased costs. The international border crossing will now cost US$4.72 billion, up from around $4.3 billion.
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority is a not-for-profit Canadian Crown corporation created to deliver the Gordie Howe International Bridge project through a public-private partnership. WDBA is responsible for overseeing and managing the construction and operation of the new crossing. Meanwhile, Bridging North America, BNA is the main joint venture contractor – Fluor, ACS Infrastructure Canada and Aecon Group– for the design, build, finance, operate and maintain the project.
Early work for the bridge started in summer 2018 and when completed, it will be the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America. The longest span stretches 853m completely over the river and clearance above water will be 42m. The Canadian government will receive all toll revenues, the project being totally Canadian with no US funding.
The bridge is named after the Canadian ice hockey player Gordie Howe who spent most of his professional years with the Detroit Red Wings. There is also a Gordie Howe Bridge, a four lane motorway steel girder structure across the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, where Howe spend his youth.
Last November, the project was honoured with the inaugural National Environmental, Social and Governance Award from the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. The award recognised the project’s commitment to sustainability and community prosperity in the Windsor-Detroit region.
The award, presented at the P3 National Awards Gala Luncheon in Toronto, recognises a P3 project that contributes to environmental protection or enhancement, wildlife protection, climate and greenhouse gas impact, natural infrastructure attributes and engagement local communities.
The project was noted for its series of initiatives based on public input to keep communities involved in the planning, design and construction that will the region. These included improved connections for commercial and passenger vehicles as well as pedestrians and cyclists.
There have been local road improvements with intersection and sidewalk upgrades, cycling infrastructure, enhanced streetscaping, landscaping and lighting in the communities closest to the project that also provide connections into broader trail networks.
