The Gordie Howe International Bridge that connects Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit has been nearly finished since February. However, a significant legal dispute questioning Canada’s decision to construct the bridge may not go to trial until 2027 or 2028, as revealed in a recently obtained federal briefing note.
The briefing note, dated February 17, 2026, and prepared for federal Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson by deputy minister Paul Halucha, disclosed that the construction of the bridge is almost complete. The remaining tasks involve commissioning and testing critical systems before potential opening, pending final certifications and coordinated readiness by Canadian and U.S. agencies.
The internal document also mentioned that the Gordie Howe International Bridge has encountered 22 legal challenges from the private owners of the rival Ambassador Bridge over the past two decades. Of these challenges, Canada has won 19 cases, with only three remaining, including a key case set to go to trial in late 2027 or early 2028.
One of the active legal disputes argues that by constructing the Gordie Howe International Bridge, Canada violated the implied right of protection granted to the Canadian Transit Company, operated by the Ambassador Bridge owners, when it was established in 1921.
Additionally, there are two other ongoing legal battles, including a NAFTA arbitration claim and an Ontario court case where the federal government is contesting claims by the Ambassador Bridge owners concerning century-old franchise rights associated with operating the crossing and building a new span.
The effort to build the Gordie Howe International Bridge as a public crossing in a corridor historically dominated by the privately owned Ambassador Bridge reflects the economic and political complexities of major cross-border infrastructure projects, according to Laurie Trautman, director of the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University.
The new bridge is expected to impact traffic patterns in the Windsor-Detroit corridor significantly, given its lower toll rates compared to the Ambassador Bridge. This reduction in tolls is anticipated to benefit the trucking industry, with the Ontario Trucking Association and Canadian Trucking Alliance expressing eagerness for the bridge’s opening to alleviate toll burdens and enhance logistical efficiency for freight transport between Ontario and Michigan.
Despite delays and increased costs, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) remains committed to opening the Gordie Howe International Bridge in the spring, emphasizing its importance as a crucial economic link between Canada and the United States. Infrastructure Canada, responsible for the WDBA, declined to comment on specific legal challenges but assured progress towards the bridge’s anticipated opening.