Record-breaking $6.4 billion U.S. border bridge in Ontario to open in 2026

After rumours of delays and a damning report casting doubt on opening timelines, the finish line is finally in sight for the record-breaking Gordie Howe International Bridge on the U.S.-Canada border between Detroit and Windsor.

The colossal $6.4 billion undertaking — consisting of the continent's longest cable-stayed bridge span and the new largest border crossings between the two countries — could welcome the first motorists in just a few months.

Construction of the new bridge began on July 17, 2018, with an initial expected completion in 2024. That date was later pushed to 2025, and amid doubts the project would open this year, officials are now stating that construction is on track to wrap up by the end of this year, but the bridge will likely not enter operation until 2026.

Despite neglecting to provide a specific date for the bridge's opening just days prior, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is now confirming that the new crossing is on track to enter operation as soon as the first months of next year.

Heather Grondin, Chief Relations Officer for WDBA, tells blogTO that "The project team is progressing well toward construction completion this year with opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge as soon as early 2026."

While Grondin would not provide any specific estimates on an exact opening date pending "ongoing quality reviews, testing and commissioning," she offers some hope that the border crossing will be operational in the very near future.

According to Grondin, such testing "is standard practice on large complex projects," and the WDBA is "currently focused on commissioning and testing to ensure we identify as many potential issues as possible for us to resolve before the opening of the bridge."

Grondin explains that the bridge authority is also "providing all border agencies and our operating teams sufficient time to be ready to operate this new and modern land border crossing between the U.S. and Canada."

"When it comes to the complexities of new international border crossings, taking the time to do it right is time well spent," said Grondin.