The world's newest international crossing, the Gordie Howe International Bridge over the Detroit River between the United States and Canada, is slated to open to public motorists at noon on Monday, July 27.
Here's what to expect and how the new bridge works:
How to reach the Gordie Howe bridge
One of the most appealing features of the new bridge for international commerce is its direct highway-to-highway connections. The bridge can be reached on the U.S. side via a 1.8-mile interchange on Interstate 75 between Springwells Street and Clark Avenue in Detroit. Connecting ramps lead straight from I-75 to the new U.S. Port of Entry.
On the Windsor, Ontario, side, the bridge is approached via Highway 401, the E.C. Row Expressway, and Ojibway Parkway. These major routes feed directly into
the Canadian port of entry and the toll infrastructure for the crossing.
A must-bring: the proper ID
Like any other U.S.-Canada border crossing, those entering Canada via the Gordie Howe International Bridge require ID such as a passport, passport card, enhanced license, or NEXUS card to get across. Enhanced driver’s licenses are only issued by five states: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington. It has all the same federal privileges as a REAL ID but also allows crossing the U.S. border by land or sea into Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean nations. It costs roughly $30 more than a standard or REAL ID and features a U.S. flag icon.
Gordie Howe bridge tolls
Here's how the Gordie Howe International Bridge tolls break down:
- One way for a personal vehicle is $5.75 in U.S. dollars or $8 in Canadian.
- A personal vehicle with a trailer is $11.50 U.S. dollars or $16 Canadian.
- Passenger vehicles, large commercial trucks or oversized or hazardous vehicles are $8.75 per axle in U.S. dollars or $12 Canadian.
Fares for the Gordie Howe International Bridge are collected exclusively on the Canadian side at the Windsor port of entry for travel in both directions. You can pay the toll using cash, credit or debit cards, or digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. Cash is only accepted in attended lanes, while cards and digital options work across various automated and attended lanes.
The toll lanes at the Gordie Howe International Bridge are managed to optimize traffic flow, reduce queue lengths and save time. Separate lanes move passenger and commercial vehicles, along with different lanes for different payment types.
There's also the Breakaway program, an electronic toll collection and discount system that provides up to 25% off standard tolls, automated RFID lane access, and free vehicle tags. Members with window stickers drive through any open lane where tolls are automatically processed through prepaid accounts for individual commuters and businesses and postpaid accounts for large commercial fleets making over 1,000 trips monthly. Registration and tags are free, and up to four vehicles can be included on a passenger vehicle account.
When does the Gordie Howe bridge open for pedestrians and bicycles?
The Gordie Howe International Bridge has a dedicated multiuse path for pedestrians and cyclists to cross between the United States and Canada — and it's free!
The bridge is slated to open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Visitors can access the U.S. bike and pedestrian entrance near Delray Park around Rademacher Street and West Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. The multiuse crossing connects directly to local Detroit paths like the Joe Louis Greenway and Iron Belle Trail, meaning local cyclists can ride to the bridge instead of driving and parking. There is no dedicated, official large parking facility built specifically for the bridge path, but there are parking garages and street parking within a reasonable distance from the multiuse path entrance.
Just as for motorists, proper ID is required to make the international crossing.
Gordie Howe bridge lanes and booths
The Gordie Howe International Bridge has three travel lanes in each direction with a full-width, paved emergency lane going each way and the multiuse lane for cyclists and pedestrians.
The bridge features 24 primary inspection lanes/booths at the Canadian port of entry and 36 primary inspection lanes/booths at the U.S. port of entry, alongside 16 dedicated toll collection booths on the Canadian side.
Contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gordie Howe bridge opens to vehicles today! Here's what you need to cross it
