'Everyone's in a super great mood': Dozens line up to walk, cycle Gordie Howe bridge for 1st time

First cyclists and pedestrians 'excited,' 'overwhelmed' to cross Gordie Howe International Bridge

Multi-use path of bridge linking Windsor, Ont.-Detroit opened 8 a.m. ET Wednesday

Some cyclists and pedestrians said they were “excited” and “overwhelmed” as they crossed the Gordie Howe International Bridge for the first time, using the new multi-use path Wednesday morning.

The path opened at 8 a.m. ET, allowing people to walk or cycle across the bridge linking Windsor, Ont., and Detroit.

“This is a historic moment,” said cyclist Collin Vassell, who crossed from the Canadian side with his wife, Kim.

“Who's going to be able to say that they … rode their bike across the bridge on the ... first day that it was open? Like, seriously.… I was actually overwhelmed with some emotions doing this experience with my wife.”

Cyclists and pedestrians had been unable to cross a bridge between Windsor and Detroit since they were barred from doing so on the Ambassador Bridge decades ago.

On Wednesday morning, people snapped photographs in front of the Canadian and American flags on the path, and vehicles honked their horns as they passed.

'Everyone's in a super great mood'

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) mascot Buddy the Bear also made an appearance.

Kevin Hinman, who crossed from Detroit with his wife Sophie, said the bridge was less crowded than he expected, so the journey was pleasant.

“Everyone's in a super great mood — got a lot of 'Good mornings' and 'Hellos.'”

Mondrell Pickens, who crossed with 13 other family members, some pushing strollers, said they wanted to make a memory together that they could pass down to their children.

“We all wanted to do it together,” he said.

“Something to remember for the rest of our lives, that we all … walked on this bridge when it first was built in Canada.”

Around 100 people were lined up at the Canadian entrance to the path as the gate opened; they were separated from the roadway by yellow tape stretched between orange stanchions.

Among them was Kevin Keeper, dressed in a T-shirt with Canadian and American flags on it. He was hoping to become the first American to cross from the Canadian side.

“I’m just overcome with emotion,” Keeper told CBC.

“It's just so exciting to be here as part of the very first morning and on a sunny day here in beautiful Windsor.”

400 cyclists preparing to cycle from Detroit

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) set up porta-potties outside the entrance to the Canadian side of the path for the day.

It also had a covered booth with balloons on hand and bridge merchandise for sale.

On the Detroit side of the river, 400 members of the Gordie Howe International Bike Club were preparing to cross the bridge at 10:15 a.m., organizer Amanda Ray told CBC’s Windsor Morning.

The group hopes to make additional crossings at 1:30 and 6 p.m.

The CBC's Emma Loop crosses the Gordie Howe International Bridge on foot

Ray said the goal of the group is to create friendships and connections across the bridge.

“I feel like we have more in common with the Canadians and people that live in Windsor than we do necessarily with people that live in Nebraska."

The WDBA is asking people to be patient as they wait their turn to cross the bridge.

“With the anticipated high number of path users, expect line-ups entering the path and line-ups at border processing,” it wrote on its website.

“WDBA is limiting the number of people that can be on the path at any one time over the initial opening days to support smooth operations.”

The bridge authority estimates it will take people approximately 45 minutes to make the three-kilometre trek on foot from one border inspection booth to the other.

Dozens line up to cross the Gordie Howe International Bridge on foot or by bike

It estimates the same trip will take around 20 minutes by bike.

There is a posted speed limit on the path of 20 km/h.

Both the bridge authority and the CBSA are reminding people to bring their travel documents onto the bridge even if they aren’t planning to cross into the United States.

Path users who return to the Canadian side of the bridge will have to report to the CBSA before exiting, the agency said, and people without proper documentation could be held up while officials try to verify their identity and status.

Meet the man vying to be the first cyclist across the Gordie Howe International Bridge

The Gordie Howe bridge multi-use path opens Wednesday morning. Here are the answers to your questions

The bridge authority is also reminding people there is no on-site parking at either port of entry. It's advising people to park at the Malden Park trailhead in Windsor or the Clark Park trailhead in Detroit.

Heather Kitching reports local news for CBC stations across Ontario and the North. You can reach her at heather.kitching@cbc.ca.

With files from Pratyush Dayal, Peter Duck, Mike Evans and Windsor Morning