Travellers eagerly anticipating the launch of the Gordie Howe International Bridge will face a delay in utilizing the border crossing. The completion of construction is now scheduled for later this year, with the bridge set to open in early 2026, according to Heather Grondin, the Chief Relations Officer for the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), the entity managing the project.
Initially planned to open by the end of 2024, the bridge’s opening was rescheduled to fall 2025 before the latest delay. Grondin highlighted the focus on finalizing construction and advancing testing and commissioning efforts to ensure the project’s readiness for operation.
Politicians in the Windsor area have expressed frustration over the uncertainty surrounding the bridge’s opening date. Windsor West Conservative MP Harb Gill emphasized the bridge’s significance as an economic lifeline for the region and the importance of consistent communication with the community.
The new 2.5-kilometer bridge across the Detroit River, linking I-75 with Highway 401, is the Canadian government’s undertaking, originally estimated at $5.7 billion but now reported to cost $6.4 billion as of last January.
Upon completion, the Gordie Howe International Bridge will become the third border crossing between Detroit and Windsor, complementing the existing Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. The bridge will feature dynamic overhead signage for traffic management, increased inspection lanes, expedited truck processing, and advanced tolling technology to enhance vehicle throughput efficiency.
To prepare for the bridge’s opening, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has bolstered its staff with an additional 250 officers, with new recruits assigned to support the project. The handover process for the Canadian port of entries commenced earlier this year in anticipation of the operational phase.
While specific opening dates remain undisclosed, Grondin mentioned ongoing testing of bridge technology, traffic flow analysis at the Canadian Port of Entry, and fire suppression system evaluations. The construction progress stands at 98%, with final touches such as paving, landscaping, and the installation of pedestrian bridges on the U.S. side underway.