Ford says he’s going to ‘Michigan’ to open Gordie Howe bridge

A view of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, under construction, as it crosses over the Detroit River between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. March 12, 2025.

Premier Doug Ford may have let slip where the official opening presentation is set to be held for the still closed Gordie Howe International Bridge, linking Windsor and Detroit.

On Tuesday, the premier made mention of his plans to visit the site for its opening when taking questions from Queen’s Park reporters in Toronto over his scrapped plans for a newly purchased private jet.

“We’re going down to Michigan to open the Gordie Howe (International) Bridge so, let’s cross our fingers the president doesn’t close it down,” said Ford.

The premier’s office would not confirm any bridge-related travel plans when contacted by CTV News for comment.

A Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority spokesperson tells CTV News preparations for the opening are progressing well but hasn’t confirmed much else.

“The project team is progressing well toward opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge this spring,” said Tara Carson, the Director of Communications for the WDBA.

“Details regarding the opening, including the date, depend on the completion of the ongoing quality reviews and testing and commissioning activities.”

Carson noted updates as to opening plans would be provided once that information is available.

Opening hiccups

Details around the bridge’s opening remain shrouded in mystery, with officials publicly pointing to a potential springtime opening for the multi-billion-dollar mega project.

In February, U.S. President Donald Trump surprised officials and residents on both sides of the border when he publicly threatened to stop the new bridge from opening.

Reporting from the New York Times indicated the threat followed lobbying by Matthew Moroun, whose family has operated the iconic Ambassador Bridge spanning the Detroit River for decades. He reportedly met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, just hours before Trump unleashed threats and demands targeting the Gordie Howe bridge, located west of the existing span.

Ford indicated the tenuous geopolitical landscape has pushed the need for more travel and consultation with American partners.

“I know the prime minister has encouraged all of us, ‘Please, go down to the U.S. Continue building relationships with the governors and senators and congress,’” said Ford.

“They have a lot of power. So, it’s about building a relationship and that’s what we’re going to continue doing.”

While a grand opening for the new bridge has yet to be announced, it appears plans continue to be developed quietly to avoid raising the ire of the American president.