This browser does not support the Video element.
Government sources: Gordie Howe Bridge to open on June 15
An official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 12, according to Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan) who told FOX 2's Roop Raj at the Detroit Economic Club. The bridge will be opened to the public on Monday, June 15th, according to two government sources. The project began construction in 2018 and will connect Ontario and Detroit and its construction was majority funded by Canada's federal government. It has been scheduled to open this spring after some delays, but summer is fast approaching.
FOX 2 - The wait is almost over for the Gordie Howe International Bridge to open.
Photo courtesy of the Gordie Howe International Bridge Media Relations Team
The backstory:
An official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 12, according to Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan) who told FOX 2's Roop Raj at the Detroit Economic Club.
The bridge will be opened to the public on Monday, June 15th, according to two government sources.
The project began construction in 2018 and will connect Ontario and Detroit and its construction was majority funded by Canada's federal government. It has been scheduled to open this spring after some delays, but summer is fast approaching.
It was designed with six traffic lanes, 16 toll lanes, and 60 Canada and US inspection lanes.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge will offer direct connections to local Windsor-Essex arteries including Front Road/Ojibway Parkway, Highway 3, Highway 401, E.C. Row Expressway, and Riverside Drive/Sandwich Street, and Detroit arteries including I-75, I-96, I-94, M-10, and Fort and Jefferson Streets.
Although no vehicle has officially crossed from one country to the other on the bridge - one distracted driver nearly did, but was detained last October.
Related: Man drives onto Gordie Howe Bridge, gets intercepted by Canadian officials
With the Gordie Howe Bridge publicly owned as opposed to the privately owned Ambassador Bridge, rates are scheduled to be lower.
The Gordie Howe promises 'Breakaway' a toll discount program for those who make frequent trips to Ontario and back. Having the tag on your vehicle promises toll discounts, hassle-free payments in "less than five seconds."
Related: Man drives onto Gordie Howe Bridge, gets intercepted by Canadian officials
This browser does not support the Video element.
Gordie Howe International Bridge to open publicly on June 15: Govt sources
The project began construction in 2018 and will connect Ontario and Detroit and its construction was majority funded by Canada's federal government. It has been scheduled to open this spring after some delays, but summer is fast approaching.
Drivers of passenger vehicles will pay a standard toll of $5.75 US and $8 Canadian per crossing. Breakaway members receive a 25% discount with rates of $4.35 US and $6 Canadian.
Commercial trucks, oversized vehicles and larger passenger vehicles will pay a standard toll of $8.75 US and $12 Canadian per axle, with a Breakaway rate of $6.90 US per axle and $9.60 Canadian per axle.
In comparison, the privately-owned Ambassador Bridge charges $10 for passenger vehicles, buses and motorcycles - with a $20 charge for any of those vehicles towing a trailer.
On the Ambassador, commercial vehicles pay a toll of $15 per axle with an E-ZPass or $20 per axle without an account.
Stay with FOX 2 for more information as it becomes available.
The Source: Information for this report is from previous coverage and information told to FOX 2 from Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan).