The Gordie Howe International Bridge is poised to become a vital new artery connecting Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, across the Detroit River. This ambitious six-lane project is not just a bridge; it’s a comprehensive infrastructure undertaking designed to significantly enhance trade and travel between the United States and Canada. Upon completion, this 1.5-mile crossing will claim the title of North America’s longest cable-stayed bridge, boasting a main span of .53 mile, and will also include a dedicated path for pedestrians and cyclists, nearly 12 feet wide.
Beyond the impressive bridge itself, the project encompasses the construction of brand new ports of entry on both the American and Canadian sides. These state-of-the-art facilities will seamlessly link to the bridge termini and integrate with existing transportation networks, including I-75 in southwest Detroit.
State-of-the-Art Ports of Entry
The Canadian Port of Entry, sprawling across a 130-acre site, is set to be Canada’s largest port along the U.S.-Canadian border. This expansive facility will house inbound inspection areas for both passenger and commercial vehicles, outbound inspection services, efficient toll collection systems, a dedicated maintenance facility, and ample parking space.
Mirroring the scale and ambition of its Canadian counterpart, the U.S. Port of Entry will occupy a 167-acre site, establishing itself as one of the largest border facilities in North America. It will feature comprehensive inbound and outbound border inspection facilities for both passenger and commercial traffic, commercial exit control booths, and extensive parking areas to manage the high volume of cross-border movements.
Enhancing Connectivity with the Michigan Interchange and I-75
A crucial component of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project is the Michigan Interchange with I-75. This intricate network of connecting ramps will provide direct access to and from the U.S. Port of Entry, alongside significant improvements to local roads. To effectively integrate these new ramps, modifications are underway along nearly two miles of I-75. This includes the construction or modification of over a dozen roadway and pedestrian bridges, with spans ranging from 100 to 1,700 feet, ensuring smooth traffic flow and enhanced safety.
A Critical Link for Trade and Economic Growth
The Windsor-Detroit Gateway, currently served by the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, stands as the busiest commercial land border crossing between Canada and the United States. This vital corridor is essential to the economic well-being of Michigan and Ontario, as well as the broader economies of both nations. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is strategically designed to alleviate congestion and significantly increase border crossing capacity. By facilitating the smoother movement of people, goods, and services, the bridge will ensure that the Windsor-Detroit Gateway can effectively accommodate the anticipated future growth in cross-border trade and traffic, bolstering economic prosperity on both sides of the border.
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority: Overseeing the Project
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is being brought to life by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA). Established in 2012, WDBA is a not-for-profit Crown corporation accountable to the Canadian Parliament through the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. While wholly owned by the Government of Canada, WDBA operates with the autonomy of a private company. The WDBA is responsible for all facets of the bridge project, from overseeing design and construction to managing operations of the completed crossing. WDBA will also be responsible for setting and collecting toll rates for using the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
The project’s execution follows a 36-year design-build-finance-operate-maintain availability payment concession model. Bridging North America, the private sector concessionaire, is contracted by WDBA under performance-based terms. This means WDBA can withhold payments if agreed-upon performance standards are not met, ensuring accountability and quality throughout the project lifecycle. Of the total $4.4 billion contract, approximately $2.9 billion is allocated to the design-build phase, including financing, and the remaining $1.5 billion is dedicated to the operations-maintenance-rehabilitation phase, also including financing. The Gordie Howe International Bridge represents a significant investment in North American infrastructure, promising enhanced connectivity and sustained economic benefits for years to come.
