Canada Unveils Gordie Howe Bridge Amidst US Trade Tensions

WHO:

AP News - Chuck Andary, interim CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority

AP News - Ontario Premier Doug Ford

AP News - Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens

AP News - Murray Howe, son of Gordie Howe

Al Jazeera - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney

Al Jazeera - Matthew Moroun, Detroit-based trucking magnate

WHAT:

AP News - Canada celebrated the completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a multibillion-dollar project.

AP News - The bridge is 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) long and rises 151 feet (46 meters) above the Detroit River.

AP News - The estimated cost of the bridge is $6.4 billion.

Al Jazeera - The bridge was paid for by Canada and is meant to be a faster alternative to the Ambassador Bridge.

Al Jazeera - The bridge is scheduled to open to traffic on Monday.

Al Jazeera - Canada will share net bridge and crossing-related revenues with the U.S. for the first 15 years.

WHERE:

AP News - The bridge connects Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan.

Al Jazeera - The bridge spans the Detroit River.

WHEN:

AP News - Construction of the bridge began in 2018.

AP News - The bridge is set to open to traffic on Monday.

WHY:

AP News - The bridge serves as a critical path for trade, jobs, and tourism between Canada and the U.S.

Al Jazeera - The relationship between Canada and the U.S. has been strained due to President Trump's tariffs and trade negotiations.

HOW:

AP News - The bridge was constructed over several years, partly delayed by the global slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Al Jazeera - Canada cancelled a planned joint ribbon-cutting ceremony with U.S. officials due to ongoing trade tensions.

(UPDATED July 25, 2026 13:24 UTC)

Canada has officially celebrated the completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a multibillion-dollar project that spans 1.5 miles and rises 151 feet above the Detroit River, connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan. The bridge, which cost an estimated $6.4 billion and is designed to be a faster alternative to the Ambassador Bridge, is set to open to traffic on Monday, with Canada planning to share net revenues with the U.S. for the first 15 years. The construction, which began in 2018, faced delays partly due to the global slowdown from the COVID-19 pandemic, and a planned joint ribbon-cutting ceremony with U.S. officials was canceled amid ongoing trade tensions linked to Trump's tariffs and negotiations.