The long-awaited Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor is nearly finished, but its opening has been delayed until early 2026, officials said.
“The project team is progressing well toward construction completion this year with opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge as soon as early 2026,” said Heather Grondin, chief relations officer for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. “The exact opening date will depend on our ongoing quality reviews, testing and commissioning. We also need to give sufficient time for our operating teams and border agencies to be ready to operate this new and modern land border crossing between the U.S. and Canada.”
The project, now 98% complete, has seen significant progress across all four components: the bridge itself, ports of entry in both countries and the Michigan Interchange, Grondin said.
Since crews connected the bridge deck in summer 2024, workers have been installing electrical, drainage and fire suppression systems, along with fencing and barriers for the multi-use path. Line painting on the span is finished.
At the U.S. and Canadian ports of entry, construction has shifted to interior finishes. Landscaping, paving and fencing are underway around 36 primary inspection lanes on the U.S. side and 24 lanes in Canada.
In Detroit, all ramps linking Interstate 75 to the U.S. port are built, with crews working on signage and striping, Grondin said. Work also continues on five pedestrian bridges and other local road improvements.
Testing and commissioning of systems are ongoing, including toll lanes at the Canadian port, where teams are verifying payment systems, barrier gates and overhead signs. Lighting checks have also begun on the bridge’s 164 streetlights and nearly 5,000 LED esthetic lights.
The $5.7 billion project began construction in December 2020 and will be the largest cable-stayed bridge span in North America once complete.
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gordie Howe Bridge opening delayed until early 2026, officials say
Reporting by Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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