'There’s no big drama' says Carney, as Gordie Howe bridge opening may face delays

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney tempered expectations about the likelihood of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will connect Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, opening soon, despite a ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for Friday.

“Everyone’s working hard to make sure the bridge is open as soon as possible,” said Carney, on his way into a caucus meeting on Wednesday. “There’s no big drama if it takes a little longer, it’ll take a little longer.”

Carney’s comments come after he confirmed on Tuesday to reporters that the bridge, which has been financed by the Canadian federal government at a cost of $6.4 billion, would officially open this week.

The prime minister called the bridge a “symbol” of cooperation between Canada and the U.S.

In February, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to block the bridge opening, citing lack of compensation as the reason for his opposition.

At the time, Carney told reporters that Trump asked U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, who is from Michigan, to “play a role in smoothing the conversation in and around the bridge.”

Canada is expected to keep all the revenue from the bridge’s tolls until the government recuperates the costs of financing the project. Afterwards, the state of Michigan will equally share the profits.

Asked on Wednesday on the status of the bridge opening, a U.S. Embassy spokesperson declined to comment.

On Tuesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford seemed to have doubts about the timing of the grand opening, with the White House confirming Trump’s position on the bridge has not changed.

“Let’s see if it opens or not,” Ford told reporters in Washington. “Hopefully it will, if they say it’s going to open. I’m just hearing two stories.”

The bridge began construction in 2018, to help address congestion on the existing Ambassador Bridge, which handles just over a quarter of all Canada-U.S. trade.

In March, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority announced the toll rates for the new bridge, which will amount to $8 CAD/$5.75 USD per crossing for passenger drivers and $12 CAD/$8.75 USD per axle for commercial trucks, oversized vehicles and larger passenger vehicles.

The authority also announced the “Breakaway” discount program which brings the costs down to $9.60 CAD/$6.90 USD per axle for commercial vehicles and $6 CAD/$4.35 USD per crossing for passenger vehicles.

As of April, the toll rates for the Ambassador Bridge sit at $10.00 USD/$14.00 CAD per crossing for passenger vehicles and $15.00-20.00 USD per axle for commercial vehicles.

Matthew Maroun, the billionaire owner of the almost 100-year-old Ambassador Bridge, has been opposed to the construction of a competing transportation corridor.

Maroun’s company, the Detroit International Bridge Company Inc., has significantly lobbied the U.S. government on the issue.

National Post

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