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Vehicles can begin crossing the Gordie Howe International Bridge “as early as 12 p.m.” on Monday, bridge officials revealed on Friday.
And people can begin using the pedestrian and cycling path on Aug. 5 at 8 a.m. ET.
The news came at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebratory hockey game in Windsor ahead of the long-awaited opening of the crossing connecting Ontario and Michigan.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority “began its journey in 2014, when this bridge existed as an idea, a vision and a promise,” Chuck Andary, interim CEO of the organization that oversees the bridge, said in his remarks to the crowd.
“Today, it stands as a remarkable accomplishment that will serve Canadians for generations to come.”
The event, featuring speeches from politicians and family of the late hockey legend Howe, was held near the customs booths on the Canadian side of the bridge.
It was originally set to be a joint celebration with U.S. officials, but was hastily reduced to a Canada-only event after U.S. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs targeting an estimated $28 billion in Canadian exports.
Mayor hopes for future cross-border celebration
Before the ceremony started, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens spoke to CBC Windsor Morning.
“ I’m really hopeful that one day in the future we’ll be able to close the bridge for a couple of hours and actually have the proper type of ceremony in the middle of the bridge with our American friends to sort of reset and to celebrate this binational relationship, and to celebrate not just the construction and what it took to get us here, but also to celebrate the man after whom the bridge is named,” Dilkens said.
Trump’s tariff threats and tensions over the toll-sharing deal between Canada and the U.S. to secure the bridge’s opening were evident at the event Friday. Reporters questioned Dilkens and federal Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson about the new bridge deal and about the owners of the Ambassador Bridge who have fought to block the Gordie Howe crossing’s construction.
But officials focused their attention on the benefits of the bridge, including its economic impacts.
“When you look at the Gordie Howe bridge, when you see how iconic it is on the landscape and when you think long game here, it’s easy to get caught up in Donald Trump and his latest tweet of the day. But … this bridge is going to be here for over 100 years,” Dilkens told Windsor Morning.
On the Michigan side of the border, four women rolled out massive signs about six metres long that read, “Canada, we’re sorry. Michigan.”
Miranda King, who lives in Detroit, said she came to show her support for Canadians after the U.S. threatened more trade action earlier this week.
“There are people over here who understand and sympathize with them, and we’re sorry for the way things are going,” King said.
“We hope we can be great friends again.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the newly opened Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor, Ont., and Detroit is an example of what’s possible when Americans and Canadians work together, during a Canadian-only opening ceremony July 24. Ford’s comments come in the face of incoming 50 per cent tariffs on Canadians goods from the U.S. that were previously exempt from CUSMA, as well as political tensions on a revenue split gathered from bridge tolls.
Two Michigan Democrats issued statements ahead of the opening ceremony.
“Canada is our neighbor, friend, and indispensable partner,” Rep. Debbie Dingell wrote on X.
“This opening serves as a lasting reminder of the ties that unite us.”
Sen. Elissa Slotkin referred to Canada as “one of America’s most critical allies” and criticized Trump’s latest tariff threat.
The Detroit council member in whose district the bridge is located said she wished the two countries could celebrate together.
“While I cannot speak to the irrational actions of the Trump administration, what I do know is Canada has always been one of our closest allies and I could not be prouder to have this new linkage between our countries right here in Detroit,” Gabriela Santiago-Romero said in a statement sent to CBC Windsor.
“I remain optimistic that ties between Detroit and Windsor will only strengthen with this long-awaited opening.”
Howe’s son lauds Red Wings star born in Canada
Howe’s son, Murray Howe, spoke at the ceremony about his family’s history with the Windsor-Detroit area, starting when his mother moved to Windsor from Germany in 1912.
She subsequently moved to Saskatchewan and married, but a teenage Gordie returned to the city in 1944 to try out for the Detroit Red Wings.
After meeting and marrying his wife, the couple settled in Detroit.
Murray talked of delivering the news to his father about the naming of the bridge.
“ As a family, we are so grateful that our father was able to experience such a profound expression of love, reverence and gratitude in the twilight of his life.”
Born in Floral, Sask., the hockey superstar and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee played 25 of his 26 years in the NHL with the Red Wings. He died in 2016 at age 88.
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