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Gordie Howe International Bridge Opens to Traffic Amid Cross-Border Tensions

Published July 28, 2026 at 8:32 AM UTC

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The Gordie Howe International Bridge opened to traffic on Monday, connecting Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, Michigan, after months of delays. The first vehicles to cross were driven by members of the Howe family, honoring the hockey legend for whom the bridge is named. The opening ceremony, held on the Canadian side, was led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other Canadian officials, with no U.S. representatives invited. The exclusion highlighted ongoing friction between Canada and the United States over trade policies and border management. The bridge is expected to relieve congestion at the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest Canada-U.S. land border crossing, and improve the flow of goods and people. Commercial truck traffic will begin later this month. The project, years in the making, was fully funded by Canada after the U.S. faced funding delays. The bridge aims to bolster bilateral trade and reduce wait times for commuters and truckers.