To mark the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, both Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters crossed the span in style on Monday, July 27.
Peters, an avid motorcyclist, became the first person to cross the newly opened Detroit-Windsor span on a motorcycle.
Whitmer also crossed over into Canada from southeast Michigan on Monday, not on a motorcycle, but a Michigan-made black convertible Ford Mustang, according to a Monday news release.
“I ran for governor to build bridges between communities and make Michiganders’ lives better,” said Whitmer.“I’m proud to celebrate the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will do just that. Built by skilled workers on both sides of the Detroit River, this bridge is an engineering marvel. It’s also a symbol of the partnership that has defined Michigan and Canada for generations and what we can accomplish when we work together. I’m proud we got the job done during my administration on behalf of so many Michiganders who fought for this bridge and for Michigan, Canada, and our future. Let’s keep doing big things together.”
The Gordie Howe International Bridge, officials say, is already the largest trade crossing in North America.
The span has three travel lanes in each direction with a full-width, paved emergency lane going each way and the multiuse lane for cyclists and pedestrians.
The bridge features 24 primary inspection lanes/booths at the Canadian port of entry and 36 primary inspection lanes/booths at the U.S. port of entry, alongside 16 dedicated toll collection booths on the Canadian side.
Canada and Michigan share joint ownership of the Gordie Howe bridge under a deal struck in 2012 and effectively signed off on by then-President Barack Obama’s administration.
Detroit Free Press contributed reporting.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gretchen Whitmer, Gary Peters mark Gordie Howe Bridge opening in style
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
