The Gordie Howe International Bridge will open by the end of the week, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The Detroit News first reported on Monday that a ribbon-cutting ceremony is reportedly planned at the bridge for Friday. The paper cited three sources who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not permitted to discuss the situation publicly.
Carney told reporters on Tuesday morning in Ottawa that the bridge will open.
"It's positive news. The bridge will be open at the end of the week," said Carney. "A symbol, but also a fact of cooperation between our countries. Great for Canadians going across the border, Americans coming across the border, and for commerce."
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) has not confirmed that an opening has been scheduled.
The news of an opening came after a potential breakthrough in trade talks between Canada and the United States, which was reportedly tied to the timetable for the bridge's opening.
Minister Evan Solomon, responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, discussed it while in Windsor last month.
"Obviously, there are complicated negotiations going on. But we hope that, not only the bridge opens, it's an element, but the larger relationship is... that's one aspect of a larger relationship that we have to fix," said Solomon.
U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened in February to block the opening of the bridge. Trump accused Canada of shutting out the use of American-made products, when in reality, the bridge was built using material from both countries. Trump had threatened to keep the span closed until the U.S. was fully compensated.
An agreement was reached in 2012 between then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper and then-Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to fund the project. Construction was funded by the Canadian government, covering the bridge, land acquisition on the Detroit side, and the on-ramps from I-75. In return, Canada will receive all of the toll revenue collected on the Windsor side.
The bridge is jointly owned by the Canadian government and the State of Michigan.
The $6.4-billion project began in 2018 with an original opening date of November 2024. Supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the opening back another year. Last fall, another target opening date was set for spring 2026.
WindsorNewsToday.ca reached out on Monday evening to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's office for additional information, but was referred to the WDBA. The bridge authority has not responded to requests from WindsorNewsToday.ca for comment.
