Gordie Howe Bridge Opens
Trump Confirms Gordie Howe International Bridge Will Open July 27 After US-Canada Agreement
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U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that the Gordie Howe International Bridge will open on July 27, linking Windsor, Ontario to Detroit, Michigan. The Star reported the announcement comes after a previous ribbon-cutting ceremony was delayed while the Trump administration pushed to renegotiate the long-standing Canada-U.S. agreement governing the crossing.
Trump called it a "much better deal" after both countries agreed to new terms. The updated agreement covers how tolls are set and managed, and includes new investments tied to the bridge and surrounding region, according to Winnipeg Free Press.
Why the Opening Was Delayed in the First Place
The Gordie Howe Bridge was originally set to open earlier in 2025. But before the ceremony could happen, the Trump administration stepped in. Officials wanted to reopen talks about how the bridge would be governed and how tolls would be collected and controlled. Both the U.S. and Canadian sides agreed to pause and renegotiate.
The delay was unusual for a project this size. The bridge has been in the works for years and cost billions of dollars to build. Holding back the opening to squeeze out better terms was a bold move — and Trump says it paid off, according to Richmond News.
What Changed in the Renegotiated Agreement
The new deal includes changes to how tolls are governed on the bridge. Toll governance means who gets to set prices and how that money is managed over time. The updated terms give the U.S. side more say in those decisions, The Star reported.
The agreement also includes new investment commitments tied to the region on both sides of the border. The exact dollar figures for those investments have not been fully detailed publicly. Trump said the outcome was worth the wait, calling it a "much better deal" than what was previously in place.
What the Gordie Howe Bridge Means for Trade and Travel
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in North American history. It spans the Detroit River and creates a new crossing between Michigan and Ontario. The bridge adds a second major link between the two countries in that corridor, joining the existing Ambassador Bridge nearby.
The crossing is expected to carry heavy commercial truck traffic as well as passenger vehicles. The Windsor-Detroit corridor is one of the busiest trade routes in the world. Billions of dollars in goods cross that border every year. Adding a new bridge is expected to reduce bottlenecks and speed up cross-border commerce, according to Brandon Sun.
July 27 Opening Date Now Set in Stone
With Trump's confirmation, July 27 is now the official opening date. Both the U.S. and Canadian governments have agreed to the new terms, clearing the last major obstacle. Winnipeg Free Press reported that the bridge will connect communities across both countries once it opens to traffic.
The bridge is named after hockey legend Gordie Howe, who was born in Saskatchewan and became a star in Detroit. The name itself reflects the deep ties between Canada and the U.S. that the crossing is meant to strengthen. For now, both sides appear satisfied with the deal that made the July 27 date possible.
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