News Summary
The opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will connect Detroit and Windsor, may face delays pushing the anticipated launch to early 2026. Issues with the U.S. Customs Port of Entry and construction timelines have been flagged in a recent S&P Global Ratings report. Construction is ongoing, but a missed handover deadline for customs operations could further affect the timeline. Despite concerns, officials remain optimistic, citing satisfactory progress on essential structures at the port planned for completion by fall 2025.
Detroit – The anticipated opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will connect Detroit and Windsor, is facing potential delays. Originally expected to open in the fall of 2025, the official launch may now be pushed back to early 2026 due to issues with the U.S. Customs Port of Entry and construction linkages in southwest Detroit.
A recent analysis by S&P Global Ratings flagged multiple delays that could push back the substantial completion of the project by up to six months, primarily linked to the readiness of the customs facility. Construction work on essential infrastructures, including Fort Street and Interstate 75, was contracted to finish by May 1, but there are concerns regarding construction timelines related to the Michigan interchange portions, which are now expected to extend until August 31, 2025. This marks a delay of more than 120 days from initial projections.
Heather Grondin, Chief Relations Officer of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), cast doubt on S&P’s assessment, arguing that the report does not accurately capture the construction team’s, Bridging North America (BNA), capability to adhere to project timelines. Grondin had earlier indicated potential opening dates in October or November, but recent communication from the WDBA hasn’t specified a concrete date, as ongoing testing and commissioning phases are still in progress.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to complete construction by fall 2025. However, after this completion, the future U.S. Port of Entry will require an additional six months for preparations before it can officially open to the public. The port covers 167 acres and includes vital border protection and maintenance facilities, which are in the process of construction along with 13 other structures slated for the port.
As construction on the international bridge moves forward, challenges have arisen, particularly regarding a key handover date that was missed in September. This handover is crucial for setting up the U.S. Customs operations within the new facility. A new deadline for this handover is now set for July 31. S&P’s report emphasized that significant delays in preparing the U.S. Port of Entry could have a cascading effect on the overall completion timeline of the bridge.
Despite these concerns, Grondin reported that construction is progressing satisfactorily on all necessary structures at the port, including vital internal features and landscaping. A previous press release in January 2024 reaffirmed that construction is still expected to be completed by September 2025, putting optimism on potential completion timelines.
Once operational, the Gordie Howe International Bridge is projected to handle approximately 6,000 daily commuters traveling from Ontario to Detroit, potentially realigning cross-border traffic dynamics. Estimates from early planning suggest that the new bridge could accommodate about 60% of the traffic currently crossing through the Ambassador Bridge, which is its main competitor.
Funding for the Gordie Howe International Bridge is provided by the Canadian federal government, with tolls implemented to recover project costs effectively. With these potential delays on the horizon, officials from both sides of the border will be closely monitoring the project’s progress to communicate any changes to the anticipated opening date.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit News
- Wikipedia: Gordie Howe International Bridge
- Click On Detroit
- Google Search: Gordie Howe International Bridge
- Detroit Free Press
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gordie Howe International Bridge
- Construction Dive
- Google News: Gordie Howe bridge delays
- Bloomberg
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DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
