With less than a year before its scheduled opening, now is a good time to look at what’s happening with the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
First, some back story: traffic studies conducted at the turn of the century determined that the existing Canada-United States border crossing between the province of Ontario and the state of Michigan would not support cross-border traffic increases. After decades of planning, feasibility, and environmental studies (as well as the process of naming the structure), construction officially began on October 5, 2018.
Fast-forward to summer 2024 when the two sides of the bridge were finally joined, allowing it to officially claim the title of “longest clear span of any cable-stayed bridge in North America, with a record length of 853 metres or 0.53 miles.” While a monumental achievement, there’s still plenty of work to be done before the bridge officially opens next September including road surfacing; electrical, instrumentation, and drainage installations; fire and security systems; and the addition of a peregrine falcon nesting area located just below the bridge deck.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge project has a $6.4 billion (CAD) contract value and has created 2,500 jobs. When opened, it will include six lanes of traffic (three Canada-bound, three U.S.-bound), 60 primary inspection lanes (24 in Canada, 36 in the U.S.), 16 toll booths at the Canadian port of entry, and one multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. Ports at both sides will feature landscaped areas with vegetation, with a First Nations’ art installation on the Canadian side. The bridge is expected to operate for 30 years, facilitating traffic and trade across the Canada-U.S. border for decades to come.
A photo gallery on the Gordie Howe International Bridge website includes a host of images from its years of construction, and makes for fasinating viewing. We’re already looking forward to posting here on the day it opens next September.
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Photo courtesy Gordie Howe International Bridge website