News Summary
The final tower crane at the Gordie Howe International Bridge construction site will be dismantled this week, marking a crucial milestone in the five-year project. Construction began in 2018 and includes essential engineering efforts that will connect Detroit and Windsor. Scheduled for completion in September, the bridge is expected to enhance transportation between the U.S. and Canada.
Detroit – The final U.S. tower crane at the Gordie Howe International Bridge construction site will be removed by the end of this week, as confirmed by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. The dismantling of the blue crane marks a significant milestone in the five-year construction project that has shaped the skylines of both Detroit and Windsor.
Over the course of the construction, which began in 2018, twin tower cranes have played an essential role in the engineering process. The cranes were assembled on-site in 2020, taking a total of 35 hours over three days to complete. Utilizing a unique process known as “tower crane self-climbing,” these cranes were able to rise in height as construction progressed. By 2024, the bridge towers reached an impressive 722 feet, while the cranes themselves peaked at a height of 797 feet.
The primary functions of the tower cranes involved transporting and placing crucial construction materials, including rebar, concrete forms, the installation of anchor boxes, and 216 cables required for the bridge deck. These materials were fundamental to the construction of the bridge, which will span the Detroit River and connect southwest Detroit to northwest Windsor, Ontario. The red tower crane located on the Canadian side was dismantled in May, marking the end of crane operations on both sides of the project.
The total estimated cost of the Gordie Howe International Bridge is approximately $5.7 billion, and the structure is designed to rise 150 feet above the Detroit River. When completed, it will reach a maximum height of 720 feet, making it the largest land port along the Canada-U.S. border. The bridge is particularly noteworthy for its main span, which will measure half a mile in length, ranking as the 10th-longest cable-stayed bridge in the world and the longest in North America.
While officials have not yet provided an exact opening date, the bridge is anticipated to be operational this fall, following the completion of construction in September. Remaining construction tasks include the installation of lighting, barriers, signage, fire suppression systems, and a multi-use path designed specifically for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge will feature six traffic lanes and a toll-free pathway for walking and biking.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge joins the ranks of the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel as key international crossing points between Detroit and Windsor. The bridge is named in honor of professional Canadian ice hockey player Gordie Howe, a legendary figure in sports history.
Visible entry signage has already been erected along Interstate 75 in southwest Detroit, while the bridge is now also viewable on Google Maps. The bridge’s innovative lighting system is currently undergoing testing, a sign that final preparations are well underway. Additionally, the main span deck will feature the longest composite steel and concrete structure of any cable-stayed bridge worldwide, showcasing advanced engineering techniques.
The bridge is intentionally designed to accommodate two-way pedestrian and cyclist traffic, linking seamlessly to existing local trail networks. As construction winds down, the completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge stands as a significant achievement in infrastructure development, promising to enhance transportation and accessibility between the United States and Canada.
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Additional Resources
- Detroit News
- Wikipedia: Gordie Howe International Bridge
- Audacy
- Google Search: Gordie Howe International Bridge news
- Detroit Free Press
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gordie Howe International Bridge
- Fox 2 Detroit
- Google News: Gordie Howe International Bridge
- WTOL
