Cross-border leaders call for transparency as Gordie Howe bridge opening remains delayed

Political leaders in Windsor are calling for more transparency surrounding the Gordie Howe Bridge delay. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell reports.

Elected officials on both sides of the Detroit River are calling for transparency and urging the Gordie Howe International Bridge to open as soon as possible after its anticipated ribbon cutting and opening were postponed this week.

The show of solidarity came Friday as Michigan state senators joined local political leaders in Windsor to reaffirm the importance of the long-awaited crossing amid growing speculation over the reasons behind the delay.

“We thought it would be an important day for us to come over and just get together,” said Michigan State Sen. Stephanie Chang. “Obviously, we would have preferred to be here for a ribbon cutting.”

Chang said the bridge represents more than infrastructure.

“It’s about partnership. It’s about a friendship between America and Canada,” she said. “We know that this bridge not only will bring enormous benefit to our economies, but also to the communities that we represent.”

The gathering followed one day after Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall suggested the delay could be tied to U.S. officials seeking changes to the existing toll revenue arrangement. Hall said he hopes to see an agreement that would provide Michigan and the United States with an immediate 50-50 share of toll revenues and greater authority over the operation and maintenance of the crossing.

While in Windsor, Michigan State Sen. Erika Geiss rejected the idea of reopening the agreement.

“Absolutely not,” Geiss said. “The way that the initial legislation went through to create the project itself was something that was agreed upon.”

She called any effort to revisit the arrangement “disingenuous” and “dishonest.”

“It would be a slap in the face to all the people, all the organizations who worked on bringing this project to fruition, getting the bridge completed and getting it open,” she said.

Geiss, who chairs Michigan’s Senate Transportation Committee, added she has received little information about the delay.

“I have the same information that everyone else in the general public has, which is very little,” she said.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told CTV News the region continues to wait for the economic benefits the crossing promises to deliver.

“It’s more than just a symbolic connection between two cities. It’s also a strong economic connection,” Dilkens said.

“The day the Gordie Howe Bridge opens, it will be the most technologically advanced border crossing between the United States and Canada. It will be the most friction-free border crossing, which is great news for all businesses in our regional economy.”

Former Windsor West MP Brian Masse said every day the bridge remains closed delays toll revenue needed to offset Canada’s investment in the multibillion-dollar project.

“Every day that we don’t use the crossing means that it’s an extra expense on the taxpayers,” Masse said.

He called on governments to be more transparent about the reasons for the delay.

“If it is entirely political, then say it. If it’s something different, then do it and fix it. But don’t treat us like children. Treat us as the taxpayers that we are that are invested in this and expect a return.”

Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky said the latest setback will not weaken the long-standing relationship between Windsor and Detroit.

“Politics will be politics. There are cycles. There are people that will come and go in politics,” Gretzky explained.

“But what we do as a community is come together with our American neighbours to overcome those obstacles.”

Chang echoed that sentiment, saying residents on both sides of the border are eager to see the project completed.

“Our communities are depending on our government to make sure that it does get resolved,” she said.

The bridge, which will connect Windsor and Detroit with six lanes of traffic as well as dedicated pedestrian and cycling paths, is expected to become one of the busiest commercial border crossings in North America once it opens.

Officials have not announced a new date for the ribbon cutting or the start of operations.