Opening of Gordie Howe Bridge postponed over unresolved issues
The inauguration of the Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Windsor and Detroit has been delayed to allow Canada and the United States to resolve outstanding matters, after earlier political disputes.
The planned opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge across the Detroit River has been pushed back, with officials saying the two countries need more time to address "outstanding issues."
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority announced that Canada and the United States have mutually agreed to delay the ceremony, which had been slated for later this month. The bridge, jointly owned by Canada and the state of Michigan, was expected to begin carrying traffic soon.
The delay follows a February demand by former U.S. President Donald Trump that Canada transfer at least half of the bridge’s ownership to the U.S. federal government and meet other unspecified conditions related to cross-border trade.
"There is no big drama. If it takes a little longer it will take a little bit longer, but this will benefit Canadians, Americans, business, tourists, residents for decades and decades to come," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on his way into Parliament.
Invitations for the ribbon-cutting were sent after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer discussed the event with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
"This project is a powerful example of bipartisan and international cooperation, and the governor looks forward to attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony when it happens," Whitmer spokesperson Bobby Leddy said.
The bridge, named after hockey legend Gordie Howe, is intended to ease congestion on the existing Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor tunnel. Construction, financed by Canada, began in 2018 under former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder.