The Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario is scheduled to open to traffic on or about June 15, 2026, with a formal ribbon-cutting planned later that week [1, 2, 3, 4]. The $4.7 billion project, fully financed by Canada after the US initially refused funding, began construction in 2018 [1, 2, 4].
Unlike the privately owned Ambassador Bridge, the Gordie Howe Bridge is government-owned by Canada and Michigan [5]. It will be tolled over 30 years to cover costs [1, 2, 4]. The new crossing aims to ease truck traffic congestion at the Ambassador Bridge, the largest freight port on the US-Canada border that saw $126 billion in truck trade value in 2023 [1, 2, 4]. A University of Windsor study projects the bridge will reduce crossing times by about 20 minutes and save truckers $2.3 billion over three decades [1, 2, 4].
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed the Department of Homeland Security is ready and staffed to operate the bridge when it opens. "We have the personnel dedicated, ready to move. We're prepared, we're staffed, ready to go," Mullin said [1, 2, 3, 4]. Testing of the bridge systems and customs plazas wrapped up in early June [3].
The project faced political challenges earlier this year. In February 2026, then-President Donald Trump threatened to block the bridge’s opening over disagreements on Canadian trade policies covering alcohol, dairy tariffs, and negotiations with China [1, 2, 5, 4]. Trump also demanded a share of future toll revenues and inaccurately claimed Canada owned both sides of the bridge [3, 5]. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer engaged in final talks regarding the opening and coordinated communications with Trump’s chief of staff [3].
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has strongly endorsed the project. He said, "It's positive news. Obviously, the bridge will be open at the end of the week. It's great for Canadians going across the border, Americans coming across the border, and for commerce. And I just want to salute those who constructed it on both sides, and looking forward to getting it done" [5].
The Ambassador Bridge’s owner, the Moroun family, has actively opposed the Gordie Howe Bridge by filing lawsuits and lobbying against it [5]. Despite this opposition, authorities confirmed on June 8 the bridge remains on track to open imminently with ribbon-cutting invitations already sent [1, 2, 3, 4].
