The Gordie Howe International Bridge that links Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit has been considered mostly finished since February. However, a significant lawsuit questioning Canada’s decision to construct the bridge may not go to trial until 2027 or 2028, as per a federal briefing note recently acquired.
The briefing note, dated February 17, 2026, and provided to federal Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson by deputy minister Paul Halucha, revealed that construction of the bridge is almost complete. The note mentioned that final activities such as commissioning and testing of essential systems are pending, and the opening is subject to final certifications and readiness from Canadian and U.S. agencies.
The document highlighted U.S. President Donald Trump’s public threat to halt the bridge’s opening, insisting on American involvement despite Canada’s sole financing and construction of the project. Legal disputes with the owners of the Ambassador Bridge have also been ongoing, with the Canadian Transit Company contending that its establishment in 1921 implied protection against competing crossings, a claim that the lawsuit argues was infringed upon by the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
The economic significance of the new bridge is underscored by the expected toll difference, set at $8.75 US per axle compared to $20 US per axle at the Ambassador Bridge. The new crossing, with its modern infrastructure and highway connections, is anticipated to redirect commercial and passenger traffic away from the Ambassador Bridge, offering cost savings and efficiency benefits to trucking associations.
Despite delays and cost overruns, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority remains optimistic about a spring opening for the Gordie Howe International Bridge, emphasizing its vital role as an economic link between the two countries. Infrastructure Canada, overseeing the project, refrained from commenting on the legal challenges but assured that updates on the bridge’s progress would be shared as available information is obtained.
