A view of the Canadian side of the Detroit River, and the Gordie Howe Bridge, as viewed from the United States. Henry Larson/NPR hide caption
toggle caption Henry Larson/NPR
Each year, millions of trucks carrying billions in car parts, machinery, and other goods travel through a small section of the U. S.-Canada border.
This area is known as North America’s busiest land crossing and connects Detroit with Windsor, Ontario.
NPR’s Don Gonyea recently checked out this crossing to see a brand new bridge that’s finished but hasn’t opened yet.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge, named after the famous Canadian hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings, started construction in 2018. It was supposed to open early this year. That changed when President Trump made a statement on social media.
Trump insisted that Canada must share ownership with the United States before he would allow the bridge to open. Months went by without resolution. In June, the bridge authority even planned a grand opening event. But it got called off at the last moment.
Stephen Laskowski is president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance and also leads the Ontario Trucking Association. He was getting ready to attend the grand opening when he received unexpected news.
“I was heading out. My wife said, ‘Your phone’s ringing’ … it said, don’t bother going,” Laskowski told NPR.
The bridge is co-owned by both Canada and Michigan. Canada agreed to pay for construction upfront and share toll revenues with Michigan once costs are covered.
However, Trump has stated that’s not sufficient. Some politicians in Canada believe that owners of a competing bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor might be behind Trump’s delay tactics. The Moroun family owns the Ambassador Bridge and has contributed millions to Republican campaigns lately, including a $1 million donation to a Trump-aligned super PAC.
Gonyea spoke with WDET reporter Alex Mc Lenon along with Canadian residents and others to find out how this closure affects people across North America.
Listen to the full story by clicking on the blue play button above.
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