The much-anticipated Gordie Howe International Bridge, set to connect Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, may not open until sometime in 2026—even though the bridge structure itself is nearly complete. A new report from S&P Global reveals that while the physical span was finished last summer and only two percent of the overall work remains, delays at the border inspection facilities on both sides of the border could push the opening well past the original timeline.
On the Canadian side, the contractor has already missed two key deadlines to transfer the new port of entry to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). According to the report, the CBSA requires access to the facility at least nine months before opening to prepare systems, infrastructure, and personnel. The delay is partially attributed to a skilled labor shortage, as many tradespeople have been diverted to the construction of a nearby car battery plant.
Similar issues are affecting the U.S. side. Contractors have also failed to meet handover deadlines for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility. U.S. authorities need at least six months of lead time before the bridge opens, and the failure to meet these deadlines is casting doubt on any opening occurring before the end of 2025.
First approved in 2012, the Gordie Howe bridge project has weathered a decade of hurdles, from legal opposition to political interference. In 2018, the owner of the competing Ambassador Bridge lobbied then-President Donald Trump to stop construction—an effort that was ultimately unsuccessful. Later, the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption, driving the total cost to $6.4 billion, roughly $1.5 billion more than originally projected.
Today, while the bridge’s superstructure gleams with its 5,000 decorative lights and signature design, behind-the-scenes work continues. System installations, safety testing, and commissioning remain underway. Officials from the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority have not confirmed an official opening date, saying that safety and quality take precedence over speed.
Once operational, Canada will collect tolls until the project’s cost is recouped, after which revenues will be shared with the United States. For now, both governments are waiting on their respective agencies to take control of border facilities—an essential step before the new gateway can welcome its first travelers.