Gordie Howe bridge team says project remains on track for spring opening

With less than three weeks remaining until summer, officials with Canada's newest international crossing maintain that it will be opening in 'spring.'

With less than three weeks remaining before summer begins, the team behind the Gordie Howe International Bridge says the long-awaited crossing is still expected to open this spring.

In a statement sent to CTV News, WDBA Director of Communications Tara Carson said work continues toward the big day.

“The project team is progressing well towards a spring opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will be a vital economic link between the two countries,” Carson said.

The authority did not provide a specific opening date.

Instead, Carson said the timeline depends on the completion of ongoing testing, commissioning and quality reviews.

“This work continues to proceed constructively, and updates will be provided as additional information is available,” she said.

The response comes as anticipation continues to build around the six-lane international crossing, which will connect Windsor and Detroit west of the city core.

The bridge was originally expected to open in 2025 before the timeline was pushed back to spring 2026.

Despite the lack of a firm opening date, some local border operators are already preparing for the impact.

Windsor-Detroit Tunnel CEO Tal Czudner told CTV News on Monday that he expects traffic patterns across the region to change once the bridge opens.

“We think the first month it opens up, we’ll see a 7 per cent dip in passenger vehicle traffic,” he said.

“The following month a 5 per cent dip. After that it really remains to be seen.”

Once open, the Gordie Howe International Bridge will become the third crossing linking Windsor and Detroit, joining the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.