By JOEY CAPPELLETTI
SAWYER, Mich. (AP) – A bridge that connects Detroit and Canada is anticipated to open by the end of this month after U. S. and Canadian officials came to an agreement to settle the issues that delayed its launch, according to two individuals involved in the discussions.
The sources were not authorized to share details about the deal before a formal announcement.
A ribbon-cutting event planned for early June was postponed after the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority mentioned that both countries needed more time to address “outstanding issues.” This delay followed President Donald Trump’s earlier threats regarding blocking the bridge’s opening.
Commercial traffic is now expected to start before Aug. 1, as per two officials, though a date for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony has yet to be determined.
Republican U. S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers talked about the deal during an interview on Friday.
“I had a conversation with the secretary yesterday, Secretary of Commerce Lutnick, and the deal will be announced in the next few days,” Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers said Friday on WJR radio. “This is getting wrapped up. That bridge is going to get open.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, praised those involved in working toward opening the bridge.
“This bridge is a testament to the enduring partnership between Michigan and Canada and what we can get done when we think big and bet on our shared future together,” she stated.
The delay in launching the Gordie Howe International Bridge became a focal point in one of the country’s closely watched Senate races. Democratic candidate Mallory Mc Morrow, who has since withdrawn from contention, tried to turn this controversy into a political issue for Trump and Republicans.
The 1.5-mile-long bridge spans the Detroit River connecting Motor City with Windsor, Ontario, and was set for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 12 but was suddenly postponed as officials indicated that U. S. and Canada were still addressing “outstanding issues.”
This disagreement gave Democrats an opportunity to link Trump directly with a project having visible economic implications in a battleground state.
In February, Trump posted on social media demanding Canada give at least half ownership of the new bridge to the U. S. government along with other unspecified demands as part of his broader disputes with Canada over trade.
The construction of this bridge was funded by Canada. The project was negotiated by Rick Snyder, former Republican governor of Michigan; work has been ongoing since 2018 at nearly $4.4 billion cost.
The bridge is named after Gordie Howe, a famous Canadian hockey player who spent 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings; it’s expected to become another essential economic route between Canada and America.
This toll bridge will be co-owned by Canada and Michigan and should help reduce congestion at both Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor tunnel where work has been happening since 2018.
For generations, Detroit and Windsor have enjoyed close ties with residents from both sides frequently crossing for leisure activities or shopping trips. In 2021, Windsor had around 230,000 residents sharing similar manufacturing-focused economies as Detroit within auto industries.
The main commercial trade route between these cities has typically been through nearly century-old Ambassador Bridge which sits closer downtown compared to Gordie Howe Bridge.
The Moroun family owns Ambassador Bridge linking Detroit with Windsor; federal campaign finance records reveal Matthew Moroun contributed $1 million towards Trump’s super PAC earlier this year.
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