Gordie Howe International Bridge, threatened by Trump, to open July 27

Published — July 11, 2026 10:55 am IST | Montreal, Canada Source: AFP

A long-awaited new bridge connecting Canada and the United States, which faced threats from President Donald Trump earlier this year, will open for public use in late July, officials announced on Friday (July 10, 2026).

Key Announcement

"Today, Canada and Michigan have agreed to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge on July 27, with the support of the United States Government," said a statement released by Canada's Ministry of Infrastructure. The statement added that the bridge "will be a vital economic link between Canada and the U.S. — generating billions of dollars in economic activity for decades to come."

Background

• The $4.7 billion (CAN$6.4 billion) bridge connects Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario.
• Construction has been ongoing since 2018.
• The bridge is named after the late Canadian-born National Hockey League legend and Detroit Red Wings star Gordie Howe, intended as a symbol of unity between Canada and the United States.

Previous Delays and Threats

Before Friday's opening announcement, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said last month that the bridge's inauguration had been delayed indefinitely at the request of the United States due to "technical issues."

In February, Mr. Trump threatened to fully block the bridge, insisting that the United States had been treated unfairly in its construction and that it should be "at least half" U.S.-owned.

Ownership and Financing

According to a fact sheet issued by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, the bridge was financed entirely by Canada and will be jointly owned by Canada and the U.S. state of Michigan.