Gordie Howe Bridge (US-Canada)

[NWI_Irish96]

Michigan should pass a law that taxes all revenues from bridges between Detroit and Windsor at a rate of 100% until the new bridge opens.

[Beltway]

Front page story in the Detroit News today, headlined "Left Hanging".

Hanging is lethal.

[thenetwork]

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if the bridge doesn't open until 2029.

We should run a pool on where the actual opening will fall between Spring 2026 and 2029. 

Does the new 2027 Rand McNally atlas show that it's open?  They seem to predict the future somewhat regularly.

[Rothman]

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if the bridge doesn't open until 2029.

We should run a pool on where the actual opening will fall between Spring 2026 and 2029. 

Does the new 2027 Rand McNally atlas show that it's open?  They seem to predict the future somewhat regularly.

Like with Nashua's circumferential highway... 

[LilianaUwU]

Michigan should pass a law that taxes all revenues from bridges between Detroit and Windsor at a rate of 100% until the new bridge opens.

Even better, just open the Gordie Howe Bridge without any customs enforcement. That'll force their hand.

[kphoger]

What would happen if Canada were to block the Ambassador until Trump lets the Gordie Howe open?

Then they'd be out two bridges instead of one.

[vdeane]

What would happen if Canada were to block the Ambassador until Trump lets the Gordie Howe open?

Then they'd be out two bridges instead of one.

Sure, at first, but eventually the lost toll revenue would force the owners of the Ambassador to fold.

I'm also curious how feasible it would be for Canada to open the bridge to Canada-bound traffic without coorperation from the US.  One-way border crossings do exist, although usually out in the middle of nowhere.

[kphoger]

Sure, at first, but eventually the lost toll revenue would force the owners of the Ambassador to fold.

To fold?  What does that mean, exactly?  And how would it help Canada?

[vdeane]

Sure, at first, but eventually the lost toll revenue would force the owners of the Ambassador to fold.

To fold?  What does that mean, exactly?  And how would it help Canada?

Are you unfamiliar with how the private owners of the Ambassador Bridge have been lobbying the government for over a decade to stop the Gordie Howe?  They're probably the only reason Trump even knows that this bridge exists.  If their bridge is blockaded, and therefore nobody pays their tolls fares, that will seriously impact their bottom line.  They wouldn't be able to hold out forever.  Not if they've been so desperate to maintain a monopoly on bridge crossings of the Detroit River.

[oscar]

I'm also curious how feasible it would be for Canada to open the bridge to Canada-bound traffic without cooperation from the US. 

The Moro(u)ns could just waive tolls on the southbound (Canada-bound) Ambassador, and double the northbound (US-bound) toll.

[MikeTheActuary]

I'm also curious how feasible it would be for Canada to open the bridge to Canada-bound traffic without coorperation from the US.  One-way border crossings do exist, although usually out in the middle of nowhere.

The US occasionally been exercising its right to inspect outgoing traffic.  I expect the current regime in the District would block any effort to open the bridge in a one-way mode on that basis.

[vdeane]

The US occasionally been exercising its right to inspect outgoing traffic.

Which only seems to have become more common over the past couple of years.  I was aware that the US often does it on the Mexican border and sometimes near the Peace Arch, but it was virtually unheard of around upstate NY until last year.

[NE2]

I was aware that the US often does it on the Mexican border and sometimes near the Peach Arch,

Is that the crossing from Georgia to Armenia?

[LilianaUwU]

A reminder: don't get the forum subpoenaed.

[Max Rockatansky]

A reminder: don't get the forum subpoenaed.

That would be one underwhelming and confusing court proceeding.

[LilianaUwU]

A reminder: don't get the forum subpoenaed.

That would be one underwhelming and confusing court proceeding.

"...so you said that you wanted a North American Interstate highway system... with how many countries?"

[ElishaGOtis]

What would happen if Canada were to block the Ambassador until Trump lets the Gordie Howe open?

Then they'd be out two bridges instead of one.

Trucker protest convoys have entered the chat

A reminder: don't get the forum subpoenaed.

That would be one underwhelming and confusing court proceeding.

Not a hard thing to do in this day and age... 💀
(getting subpoenaed by the government for something ludicrous, that is...)

"...so you said that you wanted a North American Interstate highway system... with how many countries?"

Yes.

[vdeane]

"...so you said that you wanted a North American Interstate highway system... with how many countries?"

15

[The Ghostbuster]

Open the damn bridge now! No one should have the right to delay its opening (especially anyone in the White House)!

[vdeane]

"Mr. Trump, tear down these barricades!" - Ronald Reagan, probably

[kphoger]

Are you unfamiliar with how the private owners of the Ambassador Bridge have been lobbying the government for over a decade to stop the Gordie Howe?  They're probably the only reason Trump even knows that this bridge exists.  If their bridge is blockaded, and therefore nobody pays their tolls fares, that will seriously impact their bottom line.  They wouldn't be able to hold out forever.  Not if they've been so desperate to maintain a monopoly on bridge crossings of the Detroit River.

Oh, OK.  By "fold", I was thinking "go bankrupt" or something.  That makes more sense.

The US occasionally been exercising its right to inspect outgoing traffic.

Which only seems to have become more common over the past couple of years.  I was aware that the US often does it on the Mexican border ...

Yes, I've had CBP officers use a dog and a mirror under the car when I was exiting the USA into Mexico a couple of times in the past, but not the last several times I've made the drive.

At the Colombia Solidarity Bridge crossing, this big covering was erected at the location where CBP officers would set up their checkpoint.  I crossed the border there in... I think 2022... and I don't specifically remember the covering being there anymore, but I just wasn't paying close attention.

When exiting Mexico, I once also had Mexican soldiers stop and ask questions as we were exiting Mexico into the USA.  This was right at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic—March 2020)—so it may have been related to that.  (He asked why one of the passengers was wearing a mask, the true answer was that he was embarrassed about not having his dentures in, but I told the soldier it was just a precautionary measure.)

Anyway, not even being able to stop or question anybody leaving the country doesn't seem like the kind of thing the border patrol would like.

[GaryV]

The US occasionally been exercising its right to inspect outgoing traffic.  I expect the current regime in the District would block any effort to open the bridge in a one-way mode on that basis.

They don't even need to do that. Just don't take down the barricades on the ramps that lead to the bridge. And if the State tried to do it, I'm sure the Feds would jump all over them.

[74/171FAN]

Moved the searching people discussion (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=37241.0)

[Beltway]

"Mr. Trump, tear down these barricades!" - Ronald Reagan, probably

Canada is not the Soviet Union.

[NE2]

But dolphins are mammals.