DETROIT ~ Questions are swirling over when the Gordie Howe International Bridge will open to the public, though political machinations are keeping the timeline uncertain.
The bridge was set to open in the fall of 2025, though the opening day was changed in August to sometime in the spring of this year. President Donald Trump’s push for the U.S. to have joint ownership of the bridge with Canada has reportedly caused friction with the opening, with him threatening to block the opening back in February if his demands were not met.
Canada paid for the construction of the bridge in a deal with then-Gov. Rick Snyder was made back in 2012, though Michigan and Canada have joint ownership. Tolls collected by Canada at the bridge would be collected to recoup the project costs.
Heather Grondin, a spokesperson for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, told media outlets that the group still expects the bridge to open this spring, but no official date has been set.
The Gordie Howe Bridge would mark another connection between Detroit and Windsor over the Detroit River, featuring bike and walking lanes to cross the border, along with cars.
