Gordie Howe Bridge to Unite U.S. and Canada

The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is reaching a big milestone soon as the bridge decks over the Detroit River are about to be connected. This event will link the United States and Canada through Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, 46 meters above the river. Once finished, the bridge will be 853 meters long, making it the longest main span of any cable-stayed bridge in North America and the 10th longest globally.

The construction, led by AECOM and architect Erik Behrens, involves 27 pre-designed deck segments, each around 15 meters long and 37.5 meters wide, supported by stay cables. The final preparations for the midspan closure, a crucial task, are currently in progress. The last segment needs custom fitting, with adjustments made based on temperature for a perfect connection.

The bridge’s design includes a gentle curve held by two 220-meter towers with a fan-shaped array of 216 cables, creating a striking look. The deck, made of composite steel and concrete, will gracefully rise above the water, transitioning smoothly into the side spans supported by stay cables and ancillary piers.

Architect Erik Behrens emphasizes the blend of engineering and aesthetics, highlighting the slender deck and the dynamic moiré effects of the stay cables. The bridge’s elegant form hides utilities within its structure, maintaining a pure appearance. The project also involves customs facilities on both sides of the border and a new interchange connecting to Interstate 75 in the U.S.

The public will soon enjoy the bridge’s beauty, but more work is needed, like tensioning the stay cables, installing road surfaces, barriers, a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, and finalizing the lighting systems. These lights will turn the bridge into a nighttime sculpture and a “work of public art.”

Expected to be finished in the fall of 2025, the six-lane bridge will improve border crossing capacity, supporting long-term international trade and travel. Named after Canadian Detroit Red Wings hockey player Gordie Howe, the bridge honors his legacy and the shared hockey culture of both nations.