- The Gordie Howe International Bridge completed construction and opened, connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.
- A cross-border specialist stated that the original deal was "a bad deal for Canada from the start" and called it "a sweetheart deal for the U.S."
- Cross-border traffic with Ontario dropped 41 per cent from 2000 to 2024, and the Ambassador Bridge saw traffic fall by almost half.
- The bridge was built on "very optimistic traffic projections" that are not expected to be met, and operating expenses will likely exceed toll revenue.
- The WDBA must pay $1.9 billion over 30 years to Bridging North America for operations, and the border source said the bridge "will never ever be able to get to the point where you have paid off that capital investment".
- Canada receives no rent from U.S. customs facilities at the Gordie Howe bridge, and the bridge lacks duty-free fuel or goods, reducing revenue potential.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge opened recently, but experts are raising alarms about its financial sustainability. Critics argue that the original agreement was a 'bad deal for Canada', with cross-border traffic from Ontario dropping by 41% since 2000, leading to concerns over the bridge's projected toll revenues.1
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) is set to pay a private consortium $1.9 billion over 30 years for operations, which could exceed $90 million annually, far surpassing the estimated $45 million in toll revenues. “It will never ever be able to get to the point where you have paid off that capital investment,” said a border expert.
The bridge's traffic projections were deemed overly optimistic, with experts stating, “Those traffic projections are not going to be met.” Additionally, the bridge lacks competitive advantages, such as duty-free fuel available at the nearby Ambassador Bridge, which could deter truckers from using it. “If you’re a trucker and you can fill up duty-free, why would you cross at the Gordie Howe bridge?” questioned an insider.1213
As the bridge opens, the financial implications and traffic patterns will be closely monitored, with many fearing it may not fulfill its intended purpose of enhancing cross-border trade.
“Cross-border traffic with Ontario dropped 41% from 2000 to 2024, and Ambassador Bridge crossings fell by nearly half. Under the agreement, Canada's WDBA pays Bridging North America $1.9 billion over 30 years for operations, with toll revenue projected at $45 million annually versus expenses of at least $90 million.”
