The $5.9 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge, a 1.5-mile cable-stayed span connecting the cities of Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, is nearing completion, with its opening now slated for 2026.
“The project team is making good progress toward completing construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge as early as early 2026,” Heather Grondin, director of relations for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), said in an email.
Grondin said the exact opening date will depend on the outcome of ongoing quality reviews, testing and commissioning, all of which are needed to prepare the new border crossing, which is significantly larger than the existing one.
Construction began in 2020, with completion originally slated for 2024, but the Bridging North America design-build consortium, which includes a design-build team from FlatironDragados, Fluor and Aecon, faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and unforeseen conditions inside the U.S.-Michigan interchange, according to a previous ENR report.
“We’re currently focused on commissioning and testing to make sure we identify as many potential issues as possible before we open,” Grondin said.
“We are also giving all border agencies and operational teams sufficient time to prepare to run this new, modern land border crossing between the US and Canada,” he added. “When dealing with the complexities of new international border crossings, taking the time to get it right is time well spent.”
Commissioning work is underway at the Canadian port of entry, where crews are testing 16 toll lanes, including aerial signage, barrier gate reliability, payment systems and training programs for toll booth operators.
Since the bridge deck was attached in the summer of 2024, crews have focused on final installations, including electrical, fire suppression and drainage systems, as well as barriers, fences and line painting for the bridge’s multi-use path.
At both U.S. and Canadian ports of entry, all structures are under construction, with crews now completing interior finishes, fencing, landscaping and paving around 36 primary inspection lanes in the U.S. and 24 in Canada.
At the Michigan interchange, all ramps connecting Interstate 75 to the US port of entry are under construction and workers are completing line painting and sign installation. Work also continues on the five new pedestrian bridges and local roads.
Testing has also begun on the bridge’s lighting systems, which include 164 streetlights and nearly 5,000 LED aesthetic lights. Each is being tested for accuracy, durability and performance.
“Building, testing and retesting these systems is an important part of our work with partner agencies, first responders and transportation authorities on both sides of the border as we prepare for operations,” Grondin said.
Operations and maintenance of the bridge and two ports of entry are managed by ACS Infrastructure, Fluor and Aecon.
