Fact Sheets

The bridge towers continue to climb as single pylons, with the Canadian and US towers both standing over 174 metres/570 feet tall. The project team has approximately 10 cement pours left on each tower until they reach their final heights of 220 metres/722 feet. This is anticipated to occur in 2023.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is the largest and most ambitious infrastructure project along the Canada-United States border. With four main components including the bridge, ports of entry in Canada and the US and the Michigan Interchange (I-75), the complex project requires a high degree of planning, attention to detail and innovative design and building techniques. From conception to completion, engineers play an integral role and are involved in every aspect of development.

To commemorate the area’s role on the Underground Railroad and the contributions its travellers provided to the region, the Gordie Howe International Bridge project will include artwork at the Canadian Port of Entry recognizing this important part of history.

With roots in southern Ontario, Sara Graham was the artist chosen to work with the Gordie Howe International Bridge team to develop an artistic installation for the façade of the maintenance building at the Canadian Port of Entry. This commission will welcome travellers, showcasing positive imagery and inspiring conversation. Here are some quick facts on the artistic design and installation process. 

A key feature of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project is the inclusion of a Community Benefits Plan. Launched in June 2019, the Community Benefits Plan reflects community priorities and includes two components, the Workforce Development and Participation Strategy and the Neighbourhood Infrastructure Strategy.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge requires the installation of 216 stay cables. The installation process for each pair can take two-to-five days and involves multiple steps as described below.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge will have the longest main span of any cable-stayed bridge in North America. Critical to its design is the incorporation of 216 stay cables that serve two purposes -- they deliver the weight of the entire structure to the tower and, through tension, maintain the bridge deck’s stability and placement.

At the Canadian Port of Entry (POE), underground utility installations are ongoing across multiple areas of the 53 hectares/130 acre site, with grading and paving underway in some areas.

The Windsor-Detroit gateway is one of the busiest commercial land border crossings on the Canada-US border with over one-quarter of total bilateral trade crossing the Detroit River. The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is designed for end-to-end system connectivity, providing a seamless route between the two countries’ interstate and interprovincial roadway systems.