The US and Canada will open the delayed Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, on July 27, after the Canadian government agreed to give the US a share of net toll profits, according to officials familiar with the matter.
The deal ends a tense standoff between the two trading partners. Canada paid for construction of the C$6.4 billion ($4.5 billion) bridge over the Detroit River after years of opposition from the owners of the existing Ambassador Bridge, who made a major donation recently to a political group aligned with President Donald Trump.
Under the deal, Canada will share the equivalent of half of operating profits, after operational expenses, and direct proceeds to a US-run regional development fund, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to detail the agreement. The underlying text of the original deal — which was between Canada and the State of Michigan only — is not being changed, the officials said.“The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority will also work collaboratively with the government of the United States on toll-rate adjustments, seeking concurrence for certain non-market related toll changes,” Canada said in a news release, without offering additional details.
