Michael Lewis
Special to Ontario Construction News
With a ribbon-cutting ceremony expected last week, the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor and Detroit has been delayed again.
“Canada and the United States have agreed to delay the opening of the bridge, taking the necessary time to resolve any outstanding issues,” said Chuck Andary, interim chief executive and chief legal officer of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, which operates the new crossing. “As we work towards an opening date, we are taking a collaborative approach, reflecting our shared ambition for this trade corridor,” he said in a June 11 statement.
No opening date has been set for the much-delayed bridge that is to be the longest cable-stayed bridge span on the continent and the largest U.S. border checkpoint in Canada. An opening ceremony had been expected Friday.
Prime Minister Mark Carney had said the bridge, co-owned by Canada and Michigan, would open to traffic this week but U.S. President Donald Trump maintains that the U.S. must be compensated before any opening. A White House official earlier this week said Trump had not changed his view.
Canada has agreed to cover the $6.4-billion bridge construction costs and recoup the spending through toll revenue, with the revenue to be shared with Michigan once the construction cost has been paid.
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge will be a vital economic link for Canada and the United States,” said Andary. “As we work towards an opening date, we are taking a collaborative approach, reflecting our shared ambition for this trade corridor.”
“We are working hard to make sure the bridge is open as soon as possible,” Carney told reporters Thursday. “There is no big drama. If it takes a little longer it will take a little bit longer, but this will benefit Canadians, Americans, business, tourists.”
Chuck Andary, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Legal Officer, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) responded to the latest delay with a statement on Thursday.
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge will be a vital economic link for Canada and the United States. As we work towards an opening date, we are taking a collaborative approach, reflecting our shared ambition for this trade corridor,” he said. “Canada and the United States have agreed to delay the opening of the bridge, taking the necessary time to resolve any outstanding issues.
“We appreciate the efforts of workers on both sides of the border to get the bridge to its current state of readiness.”
