CONTACT! History is made over Detroit River

“It’s spectacular – it looks like the inside of a piano”

The two sides of the Gordie Howe International Bridge were connected on June 11, 2024.

“It’s spectacular to look at,” says Michigan resident Pete Hedemark.

“You can see it from I-75. It’s an incredible piece of engineering, it’s just beautiful. It reminds me of the inside of a piano,” says Hedemark. “It’s like a finely tuned musical instrument, gorgeous, and it’s connecting two cities at a super-friendly border, which we’re really lucky to live on.”

While the bridge will not be open to traffic until fall, 2025, the symbolism of the physical connection between Detroit and Windsor, Michigan and Ontario, the United States and Canada is obviously encouraging for residents.

“It’s going to bring a lot of business, you know. You look at that new bridge, and you see dollar signs,” Hedemark adds.

“It will be really exciting when they open it up to pedestrians and bike traffic. That will be a very cool opportunity to take in the sights of the river in Detroit and of be part of it – as opposed to always having to be in your car to cross the border. Before, you only did that if you were on a mission. Now, you could actually go there to just walk it, run it, relax and enjoy it.”

Even though it will appear the bridge is completed, there is still plenty of work remaining before the bridge opens in fall 2025. Crews will stress stay cables and install electrical, fire suppression and drainage systems, barriers, signage, lighting, deck paving, and pavement markings and complete the multi-use path.