Michigan-Canada bridge opens after renewed Trump tariffs

The long-awaited Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit and Ontario welcomed its first motorists on Monday. The bridge honoring the legendary Canadian hockey player aimed to facilitate the $300 billion in trade between Ontario and Michigan. The opening came weeks after President Donald Trump issued an additional 50% tariff on certain Canadian goods. Canadian officials celebrated a new era in cross-border transportation, according to a Monday news release.

The six-lane, 1.5-mile bridge served as a highway-to-highway connection between Ontario’s Highway 401 and Michigan’s Interstate 75. It took about eight years to build. Howe’s family drove the first personal vehicle across the bridge, authorities reported. The bridge was designed to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists with a toll-free path running alongside the bridge, slated to open next Wednesday. Canada and Michigan jointly owned the bridge, despite Canada footing the construction bill.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer marked the Monday opening by driving a Ford Mustang across the bridge. The bridge will build the economy and connect Michiganders with more opportunities across both sides of the river, she wrote. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters also celebrated the grand opening with a motorcycle ride across the bridge. He described the project as a boon for the state’s economy and a win for workers and businesses.