If you like to walk or ride a bicycle, the Gordie Howe International Bridge has a path for you.
Starting Wednesday, Aug. 5, the bridge’s multiuse path is set to open, meaning you can leave the car behind and still get to Canada.
The 1.5-mile path gives pedestrians and cyclists a border crossing option not available at either the Ambassador Bridge or the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
And it’s free to use.
The new option comes a little over a week after the bridge opened to car and truck traffic.
The first days open are expected to be busy, so it’s probably best to leave yourself some extra time. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority says the number of people allowed on the path at any one time will be limited in the initial days to support “smooth operation.”
Manny Paiva, a spokesman for the authority, said in an email that “while we expect demand to be especially high on opening day, our goal is to accommodate as many users as possible while maintaining a safe and positive experience for everyone.”
Here are a few things to know about the multiuse path if you intend to use it, according to the bridge website:
For those who want to connect to additional routes, the Detroit Greenways Coalition has put together an interactive map to help cyclists and pedestrians plan rides that cross the border at https://map.detroitgreenways.org.
“We created this map so riders — from first-time visitors to experienced cyclists − can easily discover the best routes and destinations on both sides of the border,” Todd Scott, executive director of the Detroit Greenways Coalition, said in a release.
Eric D. Lawrence is the senior car culture reporter at the Detroit Free Press, and he also writes about recreational vehicles, boats and bikes. Send your tips and suggestions to elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gordie Howe bridge opens its pedestrian and bike path
Reporting by Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
