Friday, July 24, 2026
Celebrating a new era of cross-border transportation, representatives from the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, Bridging North America, and members of the Howe Family joined together today to officially inaugurate the Gordie Howe International Bridge at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and hockey game to mark this historic opening.
“After years of planning, partnership, and construction, the Gordie Howe International Bridge will soon be opening – providing a new connection for the region, while strengthening one of the world’s most important trade corridors. This nation-building project is a testament to what Canada can accomplish when we come together with a shared vision. Our gratitude goes to all the staff, workers, partners, the Howe family, and community members who were involved. The Gordie Howe International Bridge will create new opportunities, strengthen our economy, and bring economic benefits on both sides of border for generations to come.” said Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge will officially open to traffic on Monday, July 27, 2026, welcoming travellers as early as 12:00 p.m. The bridge and connecting facilities transform how people and goods move across North America by creating a direct, highway-to-highway connection between Ontario’s Highway 401 and Michigan’s Interstate-75, along a corridor were there is $300 billion a year in trade between Michigan and Ontario. Designed with six bridge lanes, 16 toll lanes and 60 Canada and U.S. inspection lanes, the new crossing and its modern ports of entry enhance efficiency, reliability and security for commercial and passenger traffic.
(WDBA)
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge will support increased trade and good-paying jobs on both sides of the border, adding to the $82 billion in cross-border trade that Michigan and Ontario do every year. This bridge is a testament to the incredible legacy of Gordie Howe, and to the millions of Americans and Canadians who work together every day to make both of our countries more secure, safe and prosperous,” said Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario .
Since construction started in October 2018, more than 15,800 individuals, including a strong unionized labour force, worked over 20.1 million hours to cross this finish line. On-site agencies, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, US Customs and Border Protection, the US Department of Agriculture, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Food and Drug Administration, have worked together to prepare their new facilities, train staff and ensure a seamless transition when the bridge opens to travellers and commercial traffic.
“After nearly 25 years of planning and construction, the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge marks a defining moment for Windsor-Essex. This once-in-a-generation infrastructure project will strengthen one of the world’s most important trade corridors, move people and goods more efficiently between Canada and the United States, and unlock new opportunities for investment, job creation and economic growth. It will build on the extraordinary momentum transforming our city as one of Canada’s fastest-growing regions, and position Windsor-Essex at the centre of a new era of trade, tourism, investment and long-term prosperity,” said Drew Dilkens, Mayor, City of Windsor.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is the first new crossing between Ontario and Michigan in over 60 years. Its 220 m/720 ft towers are among the tallest structures in the region, its main span is the longest for any cable-stayed bridge in North America, and its connecting ports of entry are the largest along the Canada-US border. A stand-out feature, the toll-free multi-use path, will open to walkers and cyclists on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.
The project was delivered Bridging North America, a consortium of Aecon Group, ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc. and Fluor Canada Ltd., working with Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.
“At Bridging North America, we’re proud to lead a workforce of thousands who have brought this project to substantial completion. Their work ethic, precision and collaboration with each other and WDBA are the foundation of our success. This is a direct reflection of what industries and communities can build when they work together,” said David Henderson, CEO, Bridging North America.
Opening follows Bridging North America’s achievement of the contractual milestone, Substantial Completion. Bridging North America now begins the 30-year operations, maintenance and rehabilitation component of the $6.4 billion project contract.
Featured image: (L to R) Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario Minister of Transportation; Drew Dilkens, Mayor, City of Windsor; Doug Ford, Ontario Premier, and Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure. (Government of Ontario)
