The opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge has been postponed, as confirmed by the interim chief executive officer and chief legal officer of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA).
Chuck Andary shared this information on the bridge’s website Thursday morning.
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge will be a vital economic link for Canada and the United States,” he said.
“As we work towards an opening date, we are taking a collaborative approach, reflecting our shared ambition for this trade corridor.
“Canada and the United States have agreed to delay the opening of the bridge, taking the necessary time to resolve any outstanding issues. We appreciate the efforts of workers on both sides of the border to get the bridge to its current state of readiness.”
Earlier reports indicated that a ribbon-cutting ceremony was scheduled for Friday.
The bridge authority confirmed to CBC on Thursday morning that Friday’s event is canceled, with a notice sent to invitees stating, “the event on June 12 will not be proceeding.”
WATCH | How the Gordie Howe bridge will reshape border crossings:
How the Gordie Howe Bridge will reshape border crossings
After 25 years of planning, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Windsor, Ont., and Detroit would open at week’s end. For The National, CBC’s Peter Armstrong explains what this bridge means and why Canadian taxpayers had to fund it.
The minister overseeing Canada-U. S. Trade, Dominic Le Blanc, stated on Thursday that there are “a few remaining issues that we want to work through with the United States.”
However, he expressed optimism that these issues could be resolved quickly so that the bridge can open.
Le Blanc mentioned that discussions have taken place with Michigan officials this week, while Canadian and U. S. ambassadors have been actively working together for several weeks on these matters.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens commented in an email statement Thursday, “Although we would all like the Gordie Howe International Bridge to open, Canada need not fall on bent knee to make it happen.”
“Get us a great trade deal, Prime Minister Carney.”
Murray Howe, son of Gordie Howe, told CBC’s Windsor Morning earlier Thursday that several family members had arrived for the ribbon cutting.
If it didn’t happen as planned, they still intended to gather along the riverbank and celebrate.
After hearing about its cancellation later Thursday morning, Howe remarked: “The adventure continues. Mr. Hockey taught us patience!”
WATCH | Ford hopes Trump has ‘change of heart’ on new international crossing:
Ford hopes Trump has ‘change of heart’ on Gordie Howe bridge
Ontario Premier Doug Ford addressed Wednesday about challenges facing opening plans for the Gordie Howe bridge amid some pushback from U. S. President Donald Trump. Earlier in his day’s briefing with reporters Prime Minister Mark Carney noted that perhaps there wouldn’t be an opening at week’s end as initially suggested but emphasized ‘there’s no big drama.’
Howe mentioned during his interview with Windsor Morning how his late father believed walking or biking across this new bridge would be enjoyable.
“From his perspective it wasn’t about ‘Wow! This is going to be so big for me and everybody’s going to know me,'” he said.
“It was more like ‘This is just going to be a great thing for [the] people of Canada and United States especially Detroit and Windsor because it used to be so hard getting over there with tunnel or bridges having heavy traffic.. you never knew how long it’d take.'”
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