Whitmer hopes Gordie Howe bridge opening can get 'back on track'

Craig Mauger and Melissa Nann Burke, The Detroit News on Jun 11, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

DEARBORN, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told reporters Thursday that Michigan’s leaders were ready to “move forward” with opening the Gordie Howe International Bridge and were still hoping the new Detroit River span can be opened to traffic in “the next few days or weeks.”

“I’m hopeful that we can get it back on track and open it soon,” Whitmer said at an event in Dearborn for a different bridge project.

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority on Thursday abruptly canceled festivities planned for Friday to celebrate the opening of the new Detroit-to-Windsor span, citing the need to give Canadian and American officials "the necessary time to resolve any outstanding issues."

Later Thursday morning, Whitmer was asked if she could provide any additional information about why the ribbon-cutting was delayed.

The second-term Democratic governor said she didn’t have any more information to share.

“I don’t have anything more to share,” Whitmer added. “I don’t.”

When asked if it was a surprise to her that the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Windsor was called off for Friday, Whitmer said yes and no.

Then, she walked away from a Detroit News reporter who was asking her about the bridge.

The WDBA had been planning to open the bridge to traffic on Monday, two sources with direct knowledge of the plans previously told The Detroit News.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned Wednesday the bridge opening would be delayed, telling reporters in Ottawa that there's "no big drama." He didn't specify what the issue was.

Pete Hoekstra, a former Michigan congressman and the U.S. ambassador to Canada, told The Detroit News on Thursday that he and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick are leading discussions with the Canadians about opening the bridge.

But no one is saying what's holding up Canada's largest infrastructure project in generations from finally opening to traffic between Michigan and Ontario.

In February, President Donald Trump threatened to block the new bridge from opening if Canada didn't agree to concessions in trade negotiations.

The Windsor mayor suggested Thursday the delay had to do with Carney's trade negotiations with the Trump administration.

"Although we would all like the @GordieHoweBrg to open, Canada need not fall on bent knee to make it happen," Dilkens wrote on X. "Get us a great trade deal @MarkJCarney!"

_____