The Gordie Howe International Bridge is seen from the Canadian side in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on July 27, 2026. Canada on Monday opened a new international bridge linking Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, U.S., providing the newest and largest land border crossing with the United States despite escalating trade tensions between the two countries. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
OTTAWA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Canada on Monday opened a new international bridge linking Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, U.S., providing the newest and largest land border crossing with the United States despite escalating trade tensions between the two countries.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge now stands as the newest, largest, and most technologically advanced land border crossing connecting the two countries, according to authorities of both sides.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, the bridge operator, said the standard toll for passenger vehicles is set at 8 Canadian dollars (5.75 U.S. dollars) per trip. Commercial trucks, oversized vehicles, and larger passenger vehicles are charged on a per-axle basis, at 12 Canadian dollars (8.75 U.S. dollars).
The new bridge provides a vital highway-to-highway connection between Ontario's Highway 401 and Michigan's Interstate 75. According to the Canada Border Services Agency, it brought the total number of Canadian land ports of entry to 118.
Additionally, the bridge's multi-use path will open to pedestrians and cyclists starting Aug. 5. Spanning the Detroit River, the 2.5-kilometer-long and 3.6-meter-wide path will accommodate two-way traffic and connect directly into local trail networks on both sides of the border.
The opening comes amid escalating trade tensions between Canada and the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive proclamations on July 20 imposing 50 percent tariffs on hundreds of Canadian imports. In response, the Canadian government rescinded its invitation to U.S. representatives to attend the bridge's joint ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday.
According to Canadian and U.S. officials involved in the project, the bridge's opening followed months of negotiations after the project encountered delays amid disputes over revenue-sharing and tariff threats. The two sides ultimately reached an agreement that included Canada directing part of the bridge's toll revenue to a U.S. development fund, clearing the way for the crossing to open.
The bridge is named after Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe and is expected to improve cross-border trade, travel and supply chain efficiency between the two countries. ■
People view the Gordie Howe International Bridge from the Canadian side in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on July 27, 2026. Canada on Monday opened a new international bridge linking Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, U.S., providing the newest and largest land border crossing with the United States despite escalating trade tensions between the two countries. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Vehicles runs over the Gordie Howe International Bridge seen from the Canadian side in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on July 27, 2026. Canada on Monday opened a new international bridge linking Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, U.S., providing the newest and largest land border crossing with the United States despite escalating trade tensions between the two countries. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is seen from the Canadian side in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on July 27, 2026. Canada on Monday opened a new international bridge linking Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, U.S., providing the newest and largest land border crossing with the United States despite escalating trade tensions between the two countries. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
A truck heading into Canada on the Gordie Howe International Bridge is pictured from the Canadian side in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on July 27, 2026. Canada on Monday opened a new international bridge linking Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, U.S., providing the newest and largest land border crossing with the United States despite escalating trade tensions between the two countries. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
People view the Gordie Howe International Bridge from the Canadian side in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on July 27, 2026. Canada on Monday opened a new international bridge linking Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, U.S., providing the newest and largest land border crossing with the United States despite escalating trade tensions between the two countries. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is seen from the Canadian side in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on July 27, 2026. Canada on Monday opened a new international bridge linking Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, U.S., providing the newest and largest land border crossing with the United States despite escalating trade tensions between the two countries. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Trucks heading into the United States on the Gordie Howe International Bridge are pictured from the Canadian side in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on July 27, 2026. Canada on Monday opened a new international bridge linking Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, U.S., providing the newest and largest land border crossing with the United States despite escalating trade tensions between the two countries. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)