DETROIT (WXYZ) — A ribbon-cutting celebration for the Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to happen on Friday, sources have confirmed to 7 News Detroit.
Watch Ruta Ulcinaite's video report below:
Watch Ryan Marshall's video report below
Officials from Michigan, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and potentially former Gov. Rick Snyder, and officials from Canada are set to gather for the ceremony. We're told the bridge will not open to the public this week. Sources, who agreed to confirm information under the guise of anonymity, say the bridge could however open to travelers as soon as next week.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority released a statement Monday that read:
"The project team is progressing well towards a spring opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will be a vital economic link between the two countries. Additional details will be shared in the coming days."
Watch below: 2025 report visiting the site of the Gordie Howe International Bridge
The news comes after President Donald Trump earlier this year threatened to block the opening of the newest international crossing amid his trade war with Canada.
Related: Canada is funding the cost to build the Gordie Howe International Bridge; here's how
Earlier this year, Trump posted on Truth Social, saying in part: "I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve."
"Incredibly stressful from our end, you know, when you put all the money in, the time and the work and the anticipation in to have this border crossing open and to see it sit dormant and not open and not know the real reasons why," Windsor City Councillor Renaldo Agostino said. "A little bit overdue, but hopefully this is the real deal and we'll have a new border crossing open very soon."
The $4.8 billion bridge was originally slated to open in 2024, then in the fall of 2025 before officials said it would open in the spring of 2026.
The landmark that connects the United States and Canada had its bridge deck officially connected in July 2024, and work continues with testing ongoing.
Watch below: Celebration atop Gordie Howe International Bridge marks completion of bridge deck
Southwest Detroit community leaders and businesses welcome the news.
“We’ve been looking at it. It looks like it’s been finished for a few months now, so obviously with the political climate, we’ve been wondering when that was gonna happen. So to finally hear that it’s happening, it’s really exciting," Southwest Detroit Business Association Board Chair Luis Ali said.
Ali adds that there was local involvement in the project, and he sees the completion of the bridge as a great opportunity for southwest Detroit to be put on the map.
“We’re excited for all people to come to southwest Detroit," Ali said.
Meanwhile at Tacos Wuey Detroit, Eduardo Vargas has been feeding hungry construction workers working on the bridge, excited for the potential of additional, new customers.
“We hope to see a lot of people crossing that bridge and coming into southwest Detroit for dinner, lunch or a quick snack," Vargas said.
Construction on the bridge officially began in July 2018 with site work and construction on the two bridge towers was completed in 2023.
See more coverage on the Gordie Howe International Bridge in the videos below
Watch below: Man in iconic Gordie Howe Bridge photo is 2nd generation ironworker from Southgate
Watch below: Flyover of Gordie Howe International Bridge in September 2025
Watch below: Timelapse of Gordie Howe International Bridge Construction
