The bridge towers in November 2023. Credit: Gordie Howe International Bridge
Construction of the Canada-US crossing between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, is now expected to finish in September 2025 instead of November 2024.
Unprecedented disruptions due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, compounded by the differing applicable restrictions in the USA and Canada together with cost increases were among the reasons given for the delay.
Following the new September target date, the operating processes will be finalised and testing will be carried out to fully prepare the bridge for opening to cross-border traffic in fall 2025. The public-private partnership constructing the bridge, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, and the private partner managing the project, Bridging North America, announced the new timeline on 4 January.
Originally estimated to cost US$4,3 billion, the project has now been reevaluated at US$4.8 billion.
The WDBA and BNA have agreed to amend the contract to include the new September 2025 construction completion date, measures to achieve the deadline, and the updated project value.
Over 2022 and 2023, the Gordie Howe team made progress on constructing the bridge and road deck, installing the stay cables (link opens in new window), erecting the tower (link opens in new window) and building the port of entry (POE) facilities.
The Canadian tower of the bridge in December 2023. Credit: Gordie Howe International Bridge
The Canadian point of entry in November 2023. Credit: Gordie Howe International Bridge
In 2024, the bridge deck is set to connect over the Detroit River and the last of the 216 stay cables are scheduled to be installed. Also expected to be completed are the POE agency buildings and the concrete for the I-75 ramps.
“We appreciate the ongoing commitment of our partners at WDBA and BNA to keeping this vital project on track during an unprecedented worldwide pandemic that presented many obstacles on both sides of the border. We are especially pleased that along with a revised timeline comes a pledge for further community benefits in Southwest Detroit and BNA’s pledge to add cycling lanes to streets on the Detroit side. We saw a great deal of work completed in 2023 and look forward to opening this great bridge in 2025,” said Bradley C Wieferich, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation.
