Gordie Howe Bridge to open June 15 despite Trump threat

A new international bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, is poised to open this month, moving forward despite earlier threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to block it. Officials are planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Gordie Howe International Bridge on Friday, June 12, with the six-lane span expected to open to traffic on June 15.

The $4.7 billion project, under construction since 2018, is designed to ease freight congestion in a critical corridor for cross-border commerce, particularly for the automotive industry. The bridge was financed entirely by Canada under a 2012 agreement, with the costs to be recouped through tolls over approximately 30 years. Ownership of the bridge is shared equally between the Canadian government and the state of Michigan, which will begin sharing toll revenue once Canada has recovered its construction costs.

The opening follows a period of uncertainty after President Trump demanded concessions in February. In a social media post, he stated he would not allow the bridge to open until the U.S. was "fully compensated" and cited broader trade grievances, including Canada's tariffs on dairy products and its trade talks...