Workers are currently installing the temporary beams that are joining the Detroit River to the US-Canada bridge.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge, set to connect Detroit to Windsor, Ontario, is close to completion with only 85 feet left to link the two sides—about the width of an official NHL rink.
Charl Van Niekerk, the CEO of WDBA (Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority), leading the construction, expressed excitement at reaching this significant milestone.
The $4.8 billion project is nearing completion, with crews soon connecting the final segments. Once finished, it will be the longest cable-stayed span in North America.
Cable-stayed bridges, like the Gordie Howe International Bridge, with their straight cables connecting directly to the bridge deck, offer efficiency in terms of both cost and speed.
Designed and constructed by AECOM Architecture, this bridge will have six lanes for cars, as well as a dedicated path for cyclists and pedestrians, reaching a height of 151 feet at its peak.
The U.S. port of entry will span 170 acres with thorough border inspection facilities, connected to Interstate 75. On the Canadian side, a 130-acre entry port will have direct access to Ontario Highway 401.
Spanning 1.6 miles, this bridge will significantly ease traffic congestion at current crossings, such as the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
Despite completing the main span, the bridge won’t be open for traffic until 2025 as other essential systems and elements need to be put in place.
The bridge’s completion expected in November faced delays due to various challenges but is now steadily progressing towards its final stages.