There's still more than a year to go before the Gordie Howe International Bridge opens to traffic but dignitaries marked an important milestone this week.
On June 14, ironworkers from Canada and the United States completed the connection process by installing the remaining steel beams and concrete panels. Government officials thanked the workers at a ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.
"In one word, this bridge is prosperity and it's incredible when you think how quickly we were able to get this completed, on time, on budget, that's what happens when you have the US and Canadian partners working together. It's amazing, this is a historic moment," said Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk.
Construction on the Gordie Howe International Bridge started in 2018. The timeline and budget were adjusted after the global pandemic delayed the project. It was originally scheduled to open in November 2024 and had a price tag of $5.7 billion.
Now construction is on track to be complete by the fall of 2025 with a $6.4 million budget.
"The pace that they're working on now, depending on conditions, creates different possibilities but I just want to make sure that we stick to the schedule that we have agreed to. Should things fall in place [to finish ahead of schedule] that would be a wonderful thing but right now we're gearing towards opening by next fall," said Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing Infrastructure and Communities.
With the bridge deck connection complete there is still a lot of work to do. However, people watching construction progress from the ground won't be able to watch the progress as closely.
"We have to do final surfacing, fencing goes up, barriers, line painting lighting etc. and our signage. Building envelopes are complete on our POE [ports of entry] so we're busy finishing the interiors of the buildings fitting out furniture systems, so that will still take a few months," said Charl van Niekerk, CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.
The new international border crossing is expected to improve trade and strengthen the economy on both sides of the border.
"The impact is going to be extraordinary, so much bigger than Windsor and Detroit. You're going to see the trade increase and the transportation efficiency grow significantly," said Fraser.
