Workers have successfully connected the U.S. and Canadian sides of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, marking a significant milestone in the completion of this monumental project. The bridge, spanning the Detroit River and linking southwest Detroit with northwest Windsor, is a crucial infrastructure development that will enhance transportation and trade between the two countries.
Construction of the bridge, which began six years ago, involved the dedicated efforts of approximately 2,000 workers daily. While the connection between the two sides has been established, work on the bridge is expected to continue until the fall of 2025 to finalize all aspects of the project.
Named in honor of legendary Canadian hockey player Gordie Howe, who had a distinguished career with the Detroit Red Wings, the Gordie Howe International Bridge will serve as a vital link in one of the busiest trade corridors along the U.S.-Canadian border. Detroit and Windsor facilitate about a third of all trade between the two nations.
Upon completion, the bridge will span 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) across the river, standing at a height of 150 feet (45.7 meters) above the water and 720 feet (219.4 meters) high. This impressive structure will become the largest land port of entry between Canada and the United States, as well as one of the ten longest bridges in North America.
Canadian Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities, Brian Fraser, emphasized the far-reaching impact of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project during a recent news conference held on the bridge deck in Windsor. He highlighted the significance of this infrastructure development, stating that its effects will be felt for generations to come.