Ontario Construction News staff writer
Canadian and U.S. ironworkers shook hands across the border on Friday, as the final edge girders were installed and the last deck gap connected, officially making the Gordie Howe International Bridge an international crossing – the longest main span of any cable-stayed bridge in North America.
Workers celebrated with a special ceremony dating back more than 1,000 years. Topping Out symbolizes a connection and the evergreen tree indicates a job well done. It’s a cherished custom that Ironworkers say brings good luck.
Bridge officials shared the “historic” moment on social media accounts Friday as ironworkers and operating engineers in Canada and the U.S. completed the installation of the final two edge girders for the deck.
“This is this is one of the most physically visible milestones in the project,” said David Henderson, CEO of Bridging North America, the contractor building the bridge.
Construction of the six-lane, $6.4-billion bridge started in 2018. Major construction is set to be completed this year, but officials say a “substantial amount of work” remains, including the re-stressing of stay cables, post-tensioning of the deck and the installation of electrical, fire suppression, drainage systems, barriers, signage, lighting, deck paving and pavement markings.
The bridge is expected to open in 2025