Gordie Howe International Bridge, International bridge between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a cable-stayed crossing over the Detroit River with six lanes and a separate path for walkers and cyclists. The structure links Detroit in Michigan with Windsor in Ontario, stretching 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) from shore to shore.
Plans for a new crossing began in the early 2000s but met resistance from the owner of the nearby Ambassador Bridge. Construction finally started in June 2018 after years of negotiation and regulatory approval.
Named after a hockey legend revered in both nations, the crossing reflects how deeply sport and shared memory shape the border region. Local communities see this link not just as infrastructure but as a symbol of their connected daily lives across the river.
The crossing connects Interstate 75 in Michigan directly to Highway 401 in Ontario, allowing for fast border passage by car or truck. Walkers and cyclists use the separate path, which remains open in all weather conditions.
Public art by Douglas Coupland at both ends gives the approach roads an artistic dimension beyond pure infrastructure. The landscaping around the interchange ramps includes many native plant species chosen to reduce the ecological footprint of the project.
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