The completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit was confirmed back in February, but a significant lawsuit challenging Canada’s decision to construct the bridge may not go to trial until 2027 or 2028, according to a recently acquired federal briefing note.
The briefing note, dated Feb. 17, 2026, and obtained through an access-to-information request by CBC News, revealed that the construction of the GHIB is almost finished, with only some final tasks remaining, such as commissioning and testing of essential systems. The opening of the bridge is pending final certifications and readiness from both Canadian and U.S. agencies.
The document also highlighted that the bridge has been confronted with 22 legal disputes from the private owners of the Ambassador Bridge over the past two decades. While Canada has emerged victorious in 19 cases, three remain unsettled, including a principal lawsuit set for trial in late 2027 or early 2028.
One of the active cases involves the Canadian Transit Company, operated by the Ambassador Bridge owners, claiming a historical right to be protected from competing crossings since its establishment in 1921. They argue that Canada violated this right by constructing the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
The effort to establish a new public crossing in a region long controlled by the privately owned Ambassador Bridge was emphasized in the document. The economic and political complexities of developing significant cross-border infrastructure were highlighted by Laurie Trautman, director of the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University.
The economic impact of the Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to be substantial, with tolls set at $8.75 US per axle compared to $20 US per axle at the Ambassador Bridge. This pricing discrepancy is anticipated to alter traffic patterns in the Windsor-Detroit corridor, redirecting a portion of commercial and passenger traffic to the GHIB due to its advanced highway-to-highway connections and modern border facilities.
Truckers, in particular, are eagerly awaiting the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, as it is projected to bring significant cost savings and logistical advantages compared to the Ambassador Bridge. The delayed inauguration of the GHIB, which is two years past its initial opening date and slightly over budget at $6.4 billion, is causing financial strain on supply chains reliant on efficient border crossings.
Despite the delays and legal challenges, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) has affirmed that the Gordie Howe International Bridge will open in the spring. Infrastructure Canada, overseeing the WDBA, refrained from commenting on the legal disputes but assured that progress is being made towards the bridge’s imminent opening, emphasizing its crucial role as an economic link between Canada and the United States.
