OTA president Stephen Laskowski joined the Honourable Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in Windsor, Ont to celebrated the latest achievement in the ongoing construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
The bridge deck between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan is now complete, as the Gordie Howe International Bridge becomes an official border crossing.
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge project continues to pave the way for a brighter trading future for Canada and its largest trading partner. It will modernize the Canada-U.S. supply chain while ensuring the billions of dollars of trade and thousands of trucks that flow between Windsor and Detroit daily are moved even more securely and efficiently,” said Laskowski. “Ottawa’s commitment and leadership to this critical piece of infrastructure remains a symbol of the strength of the Canada-U.S. relationship, which will benefit citizens and businesses on both side of the border for decades to come.”
Also at the event were U.S. Federal Highway Administrator, Shailen Bhatt, the Mayor of Windsor, senior officials from the Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as local elected officials and project team members, the Minister and Governor represented Canada and Michigan respectively as co-owners of the public bridge.
The celebration not only recognized this phase of bridge construction and its new designation, but also served to acknowledge the over 20 years of collaboration, cooperation and commitment exercised by the various project partners to advance the Gordie Howe International Bridge to its current state.
Measuring 853 metres/0.53 miles, the Gordie Howe International Bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America and tenth longest in the world. It is the first new crossing to connect Ontario and Michigan in more than 60 years and will contribute to economic growth by strengthening the fluidity and resiliency at the Windsor-Detroit trade corridor, seamlessly connecting North America.