Six thousand programmable LED's provide aesthetic lighting on the bridge. To learn more CLICK photo.
Program 2026
Gordie Howe International Bridge
CLICK to go to Gordie Howe International Bridge project website.
Keynote Speaker
Heather Grondin
Chief Relations Officer of
Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
Heather has 20 years of experience, specializing in strategic planning, communications and engagement.
As part of diverse public-sector teams working on high-profile projects and portfolios, Heather’s consistent goal has been to build meaningful relationships based on trust, openness and understanding.
Holding the executive position of Chief Relations Officer at Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) since 2015, Heather leads an integrated team of professionals who inform, inspire and interact with others in support of WDBA and the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.
Where is the Gordie Howe Bridge?
The map below shows the Detroit River as it passes between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
North is on the top of map. The Gordie Howe Bridge is to the west, left, of the map. It is about three miles west of the Ambassador Bridge, near the center of the map. The Detroit Windsor Tunnel leads from Renaissance Center, in downtown Detroit, to Windsor's downtown. Belle Isle Park is on the southeast, lower right, of the map.
Yes, the map is correct.
Due to a curve in the Detroit River, Canada is SOUTH of Detroit. The Detroit River flows from Lake St. Clair, past Belle Isle, Detroit and Windsor to Lake Erie. The Detroit River is an important part of the Great Lakes Watershed. Lake freighters carry over seventy million tons through the river each year. The most common cargos are iron ore, limestone, coal, grain, and salt. Watching freighters is a popular past time on Belle Isle Park.
The map below shows the Detroit River as it passes between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
North is on the top of map. The Gordie Howe Bridge is to the west, left, of the map. It is about three miles west of the Ambassador Bridge, near the center of the map. The Detroit Windsor Tunnel leads from Renaissance Center, in downtown Detroit, to Windsor's downtown. Belle Isle Park is on the southeast, lower right, of the map.
Yes, the map is correct.
Due to a curve in the Detroit River, Canada is SOUTH of Detroit. The Detroit River flows from Lake St. Clair, past Belle Isle, Detroit and Windsor to Lake Erie. The Detroit River is an important part of the Great Lakes Watershed. Lake freighters carry over seventy million tons through the river each year. The most common cargos are iron ore, limestone, coal, grain, and salt. Watching freighters is a popular past time on Belle Isle Park.
Basic map is from Google Earth. To learn more about the bridge's story CLICK map above.
Why was a new bridge needed?
The tragedy of 9/11, made it apparent that the Ambassador Bridge alone could not keep the supply chain flowing during an emergency. The Detroit Windsor Tunnel cannot handle large trucks. Security closures caused huge traffic jams of trucks on both sides of border. With over 25% of all goods crossing the US/Canada border going through Detroit/Windsor, there was a major impact on the economies of both nations
.
The Ambassador Bridge itself was a problem. Almost one hundred years old, it is in poor repair. Canadians want a bridge to directly connect with highway 401, the main thoroughfare to Toronto and the rest of eastern Canada. Trucks coming off the Ambassador Bridge are forced to drive for miles through Windsor’s residential neighborhoods.
To see statistics about the bridge CLICK the photo.
Who owns the bridge?
Canada took the lead in building the new bridge. AECOM was responsible for the cable-stayed design that mixes state-of-the-art technology with an elegant aesthetic.
Environmental and safety standards for the United States, Canada, Michigan and Ontario were met. Port-of-Entry facilities have been built on both side. All four government entities had to work together.
The eventual consensus was that the bridge was to be constructed and paid for by the Canadian government. It will be owned jointly by the nation of Canada and the state of Michigan.
Canada would manage the bridge in a public-private partnership and collect tolls to pay for the costs of 4.7 billion dollars American (6.4 billion dollars Canadian). It is estimated to take over thirty years to pay off the debt.
Canada took the lead in building the new bridge. AECOM was responsible for the cable-stayed design that mixes state-of-the-art technology with an elegant aesthetic.
Environmental and safety standards for the United States, Canada, Michigan and Ontario were met. Port-of-Entry facilities have been built on both side. All four government entities had to work together.
The eventual consensus was that the bridge was to be constructed and paid for by the Canadian government. It will be owned jointly by the nation of Canada and the state of Michigan.
Canada would manage the bridge in a public-private partnership and collect tolls to pay for the costs of 4.7 billion dollars American (6.4 billion dollars Canadian). It is estimated to take over thirty years to pay off the debt.
CLICK photo to learn more about Gordie Howe. Photo: New York Times
How did the bridge get its name?
In 2010 when the international bridge was still an idea, David Bradley, president of the Ontario Trucking Association, proposed naming the bridge in honor of Canadian professional ice hockey player Gordie Howe who had played most of his career for the Detroit Red Wings. The idea caught on.
In 2015, Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, and Rick Snyder, governor of Michigan, announced that the new bridge between Windsor and Detroit would be named the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Gordie Howe, know as Mr. Hockey, was a proud Canadian born in Saskatchewan in 1928. He made his National Hockey League debut with the Detroit Red Wings in 1946. Gordie lead the Red Wings to four Stanley Cup wins. He was famous for the "Gordie Howe Hat Trick," consisting of a goal, an assist, and a fight. He was beloved by Detroiters and by hockey fans everywhere.
In 2010 when the international bridge was still an idea, David Bradley, president of the Ontario Trucking Association, proposed naming the bridge in honor of Canadian professional ice hockey player Gordie Howe who had played most of his career for the Detroit Red Wings. The idea caught on.
In 2015, Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, and Rick Snyder, governor of Michigan, announced that the new bridge between Windsor and Detroit would be named the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Gordie Howe, know as Mr. Hockey, was a proud Canadian born in Saskatchewan in 1928. He made his National Hockey League debut with the Detroit Red Wings in 1946. Gordie lead the Red Wings to four Stanley Cup wins. He was famous for the "Gordie Howe Hat Trick," consisting of a goal, an assist, and a fight. He was beloved by Detroiters and by hockey fans everywhere.
