President Donald Trump's administration has reportedly secured a 50% share of toll revenue from the $4.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge, clearing the way for the long-delayed Detroit-Windsor crossing to open on July 27 following a new agreement between the U.S. and Canada.
The Canadian government said late Friday that the two countries reached an agreement on toll governance, transparency and regional investment, ending months of uncertainty over the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, Reuters reported.
A source familiar with the agreement told the publication that the U.S. will receive 50% of the bridge's toll revenue and will have the authority to veto any toll increase exceeding 10% above current rates.
Canada also agreed to establish a 15-year economic development fund financed by a portion of bridge profits.
"We're going to get the bridge open and we're going to get a much better deal," Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers said after speaking with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Rogers added that the U.S. had gone from receiving "no revenue" to significant revenue.
The bridge had originally been scheduled to open in June, but Trump threatened to block it in February, citing concerns over the financial arrangement as well as broader trade disputes with Canada, including dairy tariffs, alcohol policies and Ottawa's trade ties with China.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said last month that Canada delayed the opening at the Trump administration's request.
Construction on the bridge began in 2018 and was fully financed by Canada after the U.S. declined to contribute. The project was expected to be repaid through toll revenue over 30 years, though it remains unclear how the new revenue-sharing agreement will affect that timeline.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to ease congestion at the Ambassador Bridge—the busiest commercial truck crossing on the U.S.-Canada border, which handled $126 billion in freight trade in 2023.
A University of Windsor study estimates the new crossing will reduce travel times by about 20 minutes and save truckers $2.3 billion over 30 years.
