oday the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) and Bridge North America (BNA) announced that the completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge would be delayed until September 2025. Originally, the crossing was scheduled for completion in November 2024 with opening anticipated by December of this year.
The project team cited delays associated with disruptions caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic as a primary cause. The WDBA and BNA agreement provides for the schedule and cost impacts of certain risks to be shared. As a result, WDBA and BNA have agreed to amend the contract to include the new September 2025 construction completion date, new measures to ensure this date is achieved, and an updated overall contract value of $6.4 billion (CDN).
“We have been in regular contact with WDBA and have been working with the management team in a collaborative manner to provide input into the bridges commercial operations and how various elements of the bridge can be designed to better serve the trucking industry and its customers upon opening, said CTA’s Lak Shoan.
“Although our members and their customers are disappointed about today’s announced delay, OTA believes the WDBA and BNA are fully committed to getting the bridge opened in a timely manner and are doing their best to overcome construction challenges presented by the pandemic,” added Shoan.
OTA will be reaching out to the WDBA and relevant government agencies to discuss the potential implications of the additional construction costs, and how these additional costs could impact tolls rates for commercial vehicles using the bridge once open. Despite these additional costs OTA expects toll rates to remain economical and comparable with other international crossings.