Detroit City Wire

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is officially connected, linking the U.S. and Canada. For more than a decade, the Detroit Regional Chamber led efforts to support the new bridge project.

Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer celebrated the latest achievement in the ongoing construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge with the work to connect the bridge deck between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan now complete and the Gordie Howe International Bridge becoming an official border crossing.

Joined by the U.S. Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt, the Mayor of Windsor, senior officials from the Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, local elected officials and project team members, the Minister and Governor represented Canada and Michigan respectively as co-owners of the public bridge.

Since June 14, 2024, when a photograph was taken of a Canadian ironworker and an American ironworker shaking hands atop a beam 46 meters/150 feet above the Detroit River, workers have completed installing remaining steel beams and precast concrete panels.

The celebration recognized this phase of bridge construction and its new designation while acknowledging over 20 years of collaboration by various project partners to advance it to its current state.

Measuring 853 meters/0.53 miles, the Gordie Howe International Bridge is North America's longest cable-stayed bridge and tenth longest in the world. It is also Ontario's first new crossing to Michigan in over 60 years. The bridge will contribute to economic growth by strengthening fluidity at the Windsor-Detroit trade corridor.

Ironworkers, Operating Engineers, and Labourers commemorated their contributions through events held in June and July 2024. Approximately one year remains to complete construction as focus shifts from deck to surface work. Progress continues at both Canadian and US Ports of Entry with all buildings at advanced stages. Work advances on Michigan Interchange connecting I-75 in Detroit directly to Highway 401 in Windsor for a seamless highway-to-highway link.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge project supports efficient movement through Windsor-Detroit gateway with features making it distinctive. Scheduled for completion in fall 2025.