Gordie Howe International Bridge to open this week, strengthening Windsor-Detroit trade link

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said a new Canada-built bridge over the Detroit River will open by the end of the week. The Gordie Howe International Bridge links Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, Michigan. US President Donald Trump had threatened to block the project during trade tensions between the countries.

Representative image

Carney spoke to reporters while walking into Parliament on Tuesday. "Obviously the bridge will be open at the end of the week.\" Carney added that it is \"A symbol of, but also a fact of cooperation between our countries,\" and said it is \"Great for Canadians going across the border, Americans coming across the border, and for commerce,\" calling it positive news.

Gordie Howe International Bridge opening and cross-border trade

Trump raised the bridge issue in February amid disputes over cross-border trade. Trump demanded Canada hand over at least half the bridge ownership. Trump also sought other demands that were not specified. The comments came as the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement faces a review later this year.

The bridge has been described as a key economic route between Canada and the United States. The project website had said it was expected to open early this year. The new crossing is meant to reduce delays at the Ambassador Bridge. It also aims to ease traffic in the Detroit-Windsor tunnel.

Gordie Howe International Bridge project timeline and funding

Construction began in 2018 and the bridge is being paid for by the Canadian government. The project was negotiated by former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican. It was designed to reduce congestion on existing routes. The bridge is named for Gordie Howe, a Canadian hockey great.

Howe played 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat, said the Canadian-funded bridge is a major benefit. Slotkin linked it to Michigan’s future economy. Michigan is a swing state that Trump won in 2016 and 2024.

Gordie Howe International Bridge ownership dispute and tariff threats

Carney has criticised economic coercion by the United States in international forums. Trump has taken a tougher stance ahead of trade talks. That approach has included new threats of tariffs. Snyder also responded publicly to Trump’s claims about who owns the bridge.

Snyder wrote in an op-ed in The Detroit News that Trump was wrong. \"Canada and the state of Michigan are 50/50 owners of the new bridge,\" Snyder wrote. \"Canada was wonderful and financed the entire bridge. They will get repaid with interest from the tolls. Michigan and the United States got their half-ownership with no investment.\"

With the opening now set for the end of the week, the bridge is expected to add a new option for travellers and freight. It also marks the latest development in a project that has drawn attention during trade disputes. The crossing is intended to support movement between Windsor and Detroit.

With inputs from PTI