Gordie Howe International Bridge Nears Completion, On Track for Early 2026 Opening

The Detroit–Windsor crossing is nearly finished and expected to ease congestion at one of North America’s busiest border corridors

Jan. 2, 2026

3 min read

The near-completed Gordie Howe Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario to Detroit. — The Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario to Detroit is nearing completion and slated to open to the public in early 2026.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to open in early 2026, with construction reported to 98% complete as of October, according to WDIV Local 4.

The long-awaited international crossing will serve as a critical connection between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, and is expected to relieve congestion at the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel once it opens to traffic.

Bridge design and capacity

The project consists of four major components: the bridge itself, the Canadian Port of Entry, the U.S. Port of Entry and the Michigan Interchange, according to the project’s website.

With a main span exceeding half a mile, the Gordie Howe International Bridge will feature the longest cable-stayed main span in North America and rank among the five longest bridges on the continent. The structure spans 1.5 miles total, including approach bridges on the U.S. and Canadian sides.

The bridge will carry three travel lanes in each direction and will be constructed without piers in the Detroit River, improving navigation and environmental conditions. Its tower is designed to resemble a hockey stick in a slap shot, an homage to the bridge’s namesake, legendary Detroit Red Wings player Gordie Howe.

A multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists will also be included, featuring a green, skid-resistant and retro-reflective surface.

In Michigan, the project includes improvements to 1.8 miles of Interstate 75, featuring four new road bridges, five pedestrian bridges, widened intersections and direct highway-to-highway ramps connecting to the U.S. Port of Entry.

According to the project website, the interchange design aims to reduce congestion on local streets by allowing freight and international traffic to move efficiently without disrupting nearby neighborhoods.

Construction progress and timeline

Construction on the bridge began in fall 2018 and has experienced multiple delays. The project was originally slated to open in 2024, then pushed to 2025, largely due to complications from the COVID-19 pandemic, before being rescheduled again to 2026.

The bridge’s main span was completed in July 2024, when the final deck segment connected the U.S. and Canadian sides. Stay cable installation began in 2023, with 108 cables on each side supporting the deck. By February 2025, the deck was approximately 85% complete, with 200 of 216 cables installed.

In June, the removal of the project’s two massive construction cranes signaled the project was nearing completion, with less than 5% of work remaining, much of it focused on tolling infrastructure and border facilities.

WDIV Local 4 reported that the most recent delay — from fall 2025 to 2026 — was tied to the completion and handover of the border inspection facilities. No official opening date has yet been announced.

In 2023, the project received an environmental award from the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, recognizing its commitment to sustainability and community engagement.

Sources: Gordie Howe International Bridge Project, WDIV Local 4