The Gordie Howe International Bridge between Michigan and Canada isn’t open yet, but the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority has set toll rates and is starting to sell what it calls a “Breakaway” tag or pass.
It could be a sign that the $4.7 billion bridge may open soon, despite controversy and threats last month from President Donald Trump on social media to block that.
Chuck Andary, the interim CEO of the authority, called the Wednesday, March 11, announcement “a significant step in preparing to open” the bridge and touted the program as convenient and “customer-focused.”
The announcement about the rates — which appeared to be less than those of the privately owned Ambassador Bridge, which also crosses the border — included details about how to purchase the pass and the toll lanes.
The authority is offering a 25% toll discount to use the Breakaway pass.
The pass is the bridge’s version of the electronic “E-ZPass” that gets mounted on your windshied and takes your money without requiring you to even roll down your window — and, initially, will be for sale only to businesses.
A one-way toll for passenger vehicles is: $5.75 in U.S. dollars or $8 Canadian. With the discount that’s $4.35 U.S., $6 Canadian. For commercial trucks, the toll per axle is: $8.75 U.S.; $12 Canadian; discounted is $6.90 U.S.; $9.60 Canadian.
The Ambassador Bridge, which announced in December it was raising its tolls this year, charges $10 for automobiles, buses and motorcycles, $20 with vehicles with trailers, and $20 per axle for commercial vehicles, $15 with an E-ZPass discount.
For now, the authority is only selling passes to business customers.
United by hockey, divided by politics
A jointly owned project by Canada and Michigan, the new bridge was named after the popular Detroit Red Wings’ player, who also was Canadian, uniting the two countries with infrastructure and hockey.
And the Breakaway program — a hockey reference — is aimed at lowering the toll and speeding up the time it takes to drive through the toll lane.
In less than five seconds, the bridge authority said, the toll will be deducted electronically, the gate will open and you’ll be on your way, like a hockey breakaway, with no defenders between you and the goaltender.
But when the bridge will open is unclear.
Wednesday’s announcement only said spring.
Last month, though, the bridge sparked an uproar, with Trump sharply criticizing Canada, in a social media post. Michigan’s current governor — and even former governor — also weighing in.
Trump threatened to stop the bridge to open without Canadian concessions.
The next day, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, said she had talked to Canadian officials about Trump’s remarks. And, she said, she was having “a lot of conversations” that “will continue.”
Former Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, however, penned an opinion piece that ran in The Detroit News that said Trump was wrong about the Gordie Howe bridge, calling it “a great deal for America.”
Not long after, news outlets reported Matthew Moroun, whose family owns the Ambassador bridge, contributed $1 million to a political action committee, MAGA Inc., before Trump threatened to block the opening.
Registering for a toll pass
To get a Breakaway pass, the authority said businesses can register at GordieHoweInternationalBridge.com at no charge. It planned to offer registration to other accounts “in the coming weeks.”
The bridge will offer a direct highway-to-highway connection between Interstate-75 and Ontario’s Highway 401. The authority said it will have six traffic lanes, 16 toll lanes and 60 U.S. and Canada inspection lanes.
Toll lanes, as with many major toll roadways, will be divided into general lanes, passenger car lanes for cars, SUVs and motorcycles, and commercial lanes for big trucks and other vehicles.
Some lanes, the authority said, will still have a tolltaker, while others will be completely automated. Tolls can be paid with credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
For businesses seeking more information about the Breakaway, the authority has scheduled two face-to-face meetings: 1-2 p.m., March 23 at 1001 Woodward Ave., Suite 1400, Detroit; 1-2 p.m., March 25 at 3745 North Talbot Rd., Oldcastle, Ontario; and a virtual one from noon-1 p.m., March 27.
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gordie Howe bridge tolls announced, a sign it soon could open
Reporting by Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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