Gordie Howe International Bridge to open July 27 after delay

After weeks of delays and public criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, the Gordie Howe International Bridge is set to open at the end of the month.

Housing, Communities and Infrastructure Canada confirmed the long-awaited opening in a statement late Friday.

“Canada and Michigan have agreed to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge on July 27, with the support of the United States Government,” the statement reads in part.

“The bridge will be a major economic driver in the region and will also provide options for commuters, tourists, and businesses.”

The new crossing between Windsor, Ont. and Detroit, Mich. is expected to significantly ease congestion at the nearby Ambassador Bridge and streamline cross-border trade.

In Friday’s statement, the federal government says Canada and the U.S. have agreed to “a series of cooperative measures focused on toll governance and transparency” and the “establishment of a 15-year economic development fund tied to a portion of profits from bridge operations.”

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority will also work with the U.S. on an agreement for “certain non-market related toll changes.”

Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers, meanwhile, posted on social media Friday that he spoke with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick about the bridge. He said there is a “financial deal” where the U.S. will see “up to half the revenue.” He also said there would be joint determination of what the tolls would be.

Plans to open bridge postponed in June

The bridge has been ready for months, and there was expectation it would open last month after Prime Minister Mark Carney appeared to confirm reporting from U.S. media outlets.

But days later, that opening was put on hold with Carney insisting at the time that there was “no big drama.”

When asked on Thursday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia if he’d be open to renegotiating the terms to open the bridge, Carney said “I think we’re willing to clarify aspects of the current arrangements.”

Earlier this year, CTV News reported that both sides were trying to quietly negotiate an opening date after Trump complained in February that Canada was not treating the U.S. fairly on trade. Trump went on a lengthy tirade that included the construction of the bridge as part of his grievance.

The New York Times had also previously reported that Matthew Moroun, who is the owner of the nearby Ambassador Bridge and a Trump donor, met with Lutnick hours before Trump’s post in February.

But in an interview with Global News last week, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra denied donations from the Moroun family were behind the delayed opening of the bridge.

Construction on the bridge began in 2018. The cable-stayed bridge - which has an estimated cost of $6.4 billion - will have three Canadian-bound and three U.S.-bound lanes and will be among the top five longest bridges in North America.

A deal to construct the project was first signed in 2012 as part of the Canada-Michigan Crossing Agreement, during which Canada agreed to front the full construction costs and recoup its investment through tolls. The federal government had agreed to later split the money with Michigan once the money has been recouped.

With files from The Canadian Press