Traffic to start flowing across new bridge between Canada and U.S. amid Trump's tariff battle

Traffic is scheduled to begin flowing across the new Gordie Howe International Bridge on Monday, a significant development for trade, jobs, and tourism between Canada and the United States.

The opening of the multibillion-dollar, multiyear project, which connects Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, Michigan, is overshadowed by a recent trade dispute. Last week, Canada celebrated the bridge's completion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, but U.S. and Michigan representatives were notably uninvited following former President Donald Trump's sudden announcement of 50% tariffs on Canadian goods entering the U.S.

The bridge is named in honor of Gordie Howe, the iconic Canadian hockey player known as "Mr. Hockey," who famously wore No. 9. Howe played for the Detroit Red Wings, located just across the Detroit River, and passed away in 2016.

This new six-lane span is poised to become a faster and more cost-effective alternative to the privately-owned Ambassador Bridge, which has been the sole route for large commercial trucks between the two countries at Detroit for nearly a century. Over 70% of Canada's exports are destined for the U.S., making it the country's largest trade partner. Detroit itself is the busiest port for truck traffic along the U.S.-Canada border.

Canada financed the bridge's construction, estimated at $6.4 billion. A recent agreement stipulates that Canada will share some toll revenue with the U.S. government for 15 years. Trump took to social media to praise his administration for this deal during the Ontario ceremony, claiming, "We changed the terms." Michigan is also set to receive a share of the revenue, though likely not for decades, after Canada's initial costs are recouped. Pedestrians and bicyclists with proper identification will be able to use the bridge for free within a few weeks.

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We changed the terms