The Gordie Howe International Bridge, linking Windsor and Detroit, remains at a cost of $6.4 billion CAD despite numerous delays, as confirmed by the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) spokesperson, Tara Carson. The Canadian government has financed the entire construction and plans to recover the expenses through toll collections over the coming years. Once repaid, Canada and Michigan will share the generated revenue from the jointly owned bridge.
Originally scheduled for 2024, the project’s completion was pushed to 2025 due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the cost escalation from $5.7 billion to $6.4 billion. The agreement between the WDBA and Bridging North America, the consortium responsible for design, construction, and maintenance, ensures shared responsibility for schedule and cost risks. Adjustments were made to the contract to maintain project alignment.
Despite earlier assurances of a spring opening, the bridge remains unopened. The recent decision to delay the opening was made following discussions between Canada and the U.S. to resolve pending issues. This delay followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to impede the bridge’s opening unless specific concessions were met, which came after a lobbying campaign and political donations from the Moroun family, owners of the Ambassador Bridge.
Questions raised by Windsor West Conservative MP Harb Hill regarding the consistent cost figure of $6.4 billion have yet to be clarified by the authority. Carson suggested that private sector partners may be absorbing additional costs due to the nature of the public-private partnership (P3) project delivery model, where risks are shared and cost overruns are shifted from taxpayers to the private sector.
The lack of transparency and delays have sparked frustration among officials and residents. Windsor West MP Gill criticized the Liberal government for the lack of communication and transparency regarding the project delays, emphasizing the need for honest and prompt explanations. Gill’s inquiries about costs and delays in the House of Commons remain unanswered, putting pressure on the government to respond by September.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra highlighted the project’s higher-than-anticipated cost as a key factor contributing to the delay in bridge opening discussions. He underscored the shift in the business model due to the cost overruns and the evolving landscape since the initial agreement’s signing. Hoekstra also expressed concerns about the impact of the Gordie Howe Bridge on existing crossings’ revenues in the Windsor-Detroit corridor.
Commercial truck traffic at the Ambassador Bridge has decreased due to increased tolls, further complicating the bridge’s financial viability. Hoekstra’s office declined an interview request regarding these matters.