Gordie Howe Bridge (US-Canada)

[vdeane]

I saw one FB video today (unfortunately lost the link) which showed the poster crossing from the I-75 south exit.

Surprised to see that the toll to Canada is paid AFTER clearing Canadian customs on the Canadian side.

Also per the video, the first 10,000 vehicles to cross received a commemorative post card noting the opening of the bridge and an image of Gordie Howe himself.

https://detroithockeynow.com/commemorative-card-of-red-wings-icon-celebrates-opening-of-gordie-howe-bridge/

The Peace Bridge and Lewiston-Queenston Bridge both have that setup, as did the Seaway International Bridge before Canadian customs was moved to the mainland.  The Ogdensburg-Prescott Bridge has that setup entering the US, as does the Ambassador.  The toll plaza is just whatever is most convenient for the roadway configuration at a given crossing.

[Plutonic Panda]

Bike/ped connection opening August 5th:

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2026/07/28/pedestrians-cyclists-can-cross-gordie-howe-international-bridge-for-free-beginning-aug-5/

[wanderer2575]

Surprised to see that the toll to Canada is paid AFTER clearing Canadian customs on the Canadian side.

So the tolls in both directions are paid on the Canadian side?  The tinfoil hat-wearer in me wonders if that design is a deliberate jab of a reminder that Canada is keeping all the toll revenue until the U.S.'s portion of the construction cost is paid.

[catch22]

CTV Windsor news story about the Ford Model T that made the crossing on the first day:

[kalvado]

Surprised to see that the toll to Canada is paid AFTER clearing Canadian customs on the Canadian side.

So the tolls in both directions are paid on the Canadian side?  The tinfoil hat-wearer in me wonders if that design is a deliberate jab of a reminder that Canada is keeping all the toll revenue until the U.S.'s portion of the construction cost is paid.

Maybe because Canada owns the bridge.
As for tolls, I believe US already getting a small fraction (50% or so)

[vdeane]

Is anyone else surprised by how surprised some people are by the toll booths being all in Canada?  It's not exactly unusual for all the booths to be on one side or the other; heck, the Sault Ste. John Madden Marie International Bridge has all tolls collected on the US side!

[TheHighwayMan3561]

As for tolls, I believe US already getting a small fraction (50% or so)

It was announced in the last 10 days that Canada won't share until the bridge is paid off, which sparked some speculation on here that the US might pull back from the agreement to open it if they weren't getting their cut.

[Beltway]

Surprised to see that the toll to Canada is paid AFTER clearing Canadian customs on the Canadian side.

So the tolls in both directions are paid on the Canadian side?  The tinfoil hat-wearer in me wonders if that design is a deliberate jab of a reminder that Canada is keeping all the toll revenue until the U.S.'s portion of the construction cost is paid.

The U.S. didn't fund the Gordie Howe Bridge project except for owning the land and eventually owning the U.S. Port of Entry buildings.

Canada paid for the entire bridge, the U.S. Port of Entry construction, the U.S. freeway approaches, and the land acquisition because Michigan refused to fund it. And of course Canada paid for the approaches and POE in their country.

That's why tolls in both directions are collected on the Canadian side -- Canada is recovering its investment. The U.S. does not receive 50% of toll revenue -- the number is zero.

This is my understanding anyhow.

[GaryV]

As for tolls, I believe US already getting a small fraction (50% or so)

Per the agreement that Trump insisted on to open the bridge, the US will get 50% of net revenues (meaning tolls minus costs, including debt service cost). Which is likely to be near zero.

[Beltway]

As for tolls, I believe US already getting a small fraction (50% or so)

Per the agreement that Trump insisted on to open the bridge, the US will get 50% of net revenues (meaning tolls minus costs, including debt service cost). Which is likely to be near zero.

The "50% of net revenues" claim isn't in any official agreement. Canada financed the entire project, so Canada collects the tolls. The U.S. gets 0% of toll revenue because it contributed 0% of the capital cost.

Saying the U.S. gets "near zero" is just a softer way of admitting the U.S. gets nothing.

[kalvado]

As for tolls, I believe US already getting a small fraction (50% or so)

Per the agreement that Trump insisted on to open the bridge, the US will get 50% of net revenues (meaning tolls minus costs, including debt service cost). Which is likely to be near zero.

The "50% of net revenues" claim isn't in any official agreement. Canada financed the entire project, so Canada collects the tolls. The U.S. gets 0% of toll revenue because it contributed 0% of the capital cost.

Saying the U.S. gets "near zero" is just a softer way of admitting the U.S. gets nothing.

Latest canadian press  implies things are less than crystal clear:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/house-of-commons-ottawa-gordie-howe-bridge-revenue-sharing-united-states-canada-9.7288572

[Beltway]

As for tolls, I believe US already getting a small fraction (50% or so)

Per the agreement that Trump insisted on to open the bridge, the US will get 50% of net revenues (meaning tolls minus costs, including debt service cost). Which is likely to be near zero.

The "50% of net revenues" claim isn't in any official agreement. Canada financed the entire project, so Canada collects the tolls. The U.S. gets 0% of toll revenue because it contributed 0% of the capital cost.
Saying the U.S. gets "near zero" is just a softer way of admitting the U.S. gets nothing.

Latest canadian press  implies things are less than crystal clear:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/house-of-commons-ottawa-gordie-howe-bridge-revenue-sharing-united-states-canada-9.7288572

The CBC article doesn't say the U.S. gets toll revenue -- it says MPs want clearer reporting from WDBA. Canada financed the entire project, and WDBA collects the tolls. There is no confirmed U.S. revenue share, and no official agreement showing a 50% split.

And why -should- the U.S. get anything?

[Max Rockatansky]

Beltway being pro-Canada first is not something I thought that I would ever see on the forum.

[GaryV]

As for tolls, I believe US already getting a small fraction (50% or so)

Per the agreement that Trump insisted on to open the bridge, the US will get 50% of net revenues (meaning tolls minus costs, including debt service cost). Which is likely to be near zero.

The "50% of net revenues" claim isn't in any official agreement. Canada financed the entire project, so Canada collects the tolls. The U.S. gets 0% of toll revenue because it contributed 0% of the capital cost.
Saying the U.S. gets "near zero" is just a softer way of admitting the U.S. gets nothing.

Latest canadian press  implies things are less than crystal clear:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/house-of-commons-ottawa-gordie-howe-bridge-revenue-sharing-united-states-canada-9.7288572

The CBC article doesn't say the U.S. gets toll revenue -- it says MPs want clearer reporting from WDBA. Canada financed the entire project, and WDBA collects the tolls. There is no confirmed U.S. revenue share, and no official agreement showing a 50% split.

And why -should- the U.S. get anything?

Because our Toddler in Chief threw another tantrum.

[Beltway]

Beltway being pro-Canada first is not something I thought that I would ever see on the forum.

It's not "pro‑Canada," it's just how the financing structure actually works.

Canada paid 100% of the capital cost, WDBA controls tolling, and there's no documented agreement giving the U.S. any share of toll revenue.

Pointing that out isn't taking sides -- it's acknowledging the structure of the project.

Even if someone somehow someway believes a president demanded a 50% share, there's no agreement that gives the U.S. any toll revenue. Canada financed the entire project, and WDBA collects the tolls. The U.S. gets 0% -- not "near zero," not "net zero," just zero.

[Max Rockatansky]

Beltway being pro-Canada first is not something I thought that I would ever see on the forum.

It's not "pro‑Canada," it's just how the financing structure actually works.

Canada paid 100% of the capital cost, WDBA controls tolling, and there's no documented agreement giving the U.S. any share of toll revenue.

Pointing that out isn't taking sides -- it's acknowledging the structure of the project.

Even if someone somehow someway believes a president demanded a 50% share, there's no agreement that gives the U.S. any toll revenue. Canada financed the entire project, and WDBA collects the tolls. The U.S. gets 0% -- not "near zero," not "net zero," just zero.

Nah, the capsule stands (unless it gets creatively snipped).

[Plutonic Panda]

Beltway being pro-Canada first is not something I thought that I would ever see on the forum.

See that's where you're mistaken. He's pro dolphin. So naturally anybody that supports dolphins he will side with. I would expect to see something along the lines of dolphins first flag in his house versus the American or Canadian flag. Sort of like how people say America first.

[kalvado]

Beltway being pro-Canada first is not something I thought that I would ever see on the forum.

It's not "pro‑Canada," it's just how the financing structure actually works.

Canada paid 100% of the capital cost, WDBA controls tolling, and there's no documented agreement giving the U.S. any share of toll revenue.

Pointing that out isn't taking sides -- it's acknowledging the structure of the project.

Even if someone somehow someway believes a president demanded a 50% share, there's no agreement that gives the U.S. any toll revenue. Canada financed the entire project, and WDBA collects the tolls. The U.S. gets 0% -- not "near zero," not "net zero," just zero.

You tend to forget that Canada has a lot of oil - hence a severe lack of democracy. It is not being addressed yet ..

[Beltway]

Beltway being pro-Canada first is not something I thought that I would ever see on the forum.

It's not "pro‑Canada," it's just how the financing structure actually works.
Canada paid 100% of the capital cost, WDBA controls tolling, and there's no documented agreement giving the U.S. any share of toll revenue.
Pointing that out isn't taking sides -- it's acknowledging the structure of the project.
Even if someone somehow someway believes a president demanded a 50% share, there's no agreement that gives the U.S. any toll revenue. Canada financed the entire project, and WDBA collects the tolls. The U.S. gets 0% -- not "near zero," not "net zero," just zero.

You tend to forget that Canada has a lot of oil - hence a severe lack of democracy. It is not being addressed yet ..

Canada's oil reserves have nothing to do with toll‑revenue ownership on the Gordie Howe Bridge.

[Beltway]

The completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge is a genuine achievement for both countries. It creates a modern, high‑capacity freeway link between Michigan and Ontario that will strengthen cross‑border trade, improve regional mobility, and provide long‑term reliability for one of North America's most important economic corridors.

The project reflects years of binational coordination, engineering work, and public investment on both sides of the river. Once open, it will offer a safer, more efficient alternative to the aging Ambassador Bridge and support continued economic growth throughout the Great Lakes region. Congratulations to both nations for delivering a major piece of shared infrastructure that will serve communities, travelers, and commerce for decades to come.

[kalvado]

The completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge is a genuine achievement for both countries. It creates a modern, high‑capacity freeway link between Michigan and Ontario that will strengthen cross‑border trade, improve regional mobility, and provide long‑term reliability for one of North America's most important economic corridors.

The project reflects years of binational coordination, engineering work, and public investment on both sides of the river. Once open, it will offer a safer, more efficient alternative to the aging Ambassador Bridge and support continued economic growth throughout the Great Lakes region. Congratulations to both nations for delivering a major piece of shared infrastructure that will serve communities, travelers, and commerce for decades to come.

Thank you, Mr President. Unfortunately the bridge is already opened without you getting a chance to deliver that speech...

[kphoger]

Even if someone somehow someway believes a president demanded a 50% share, there's no agreement that gives the U.S. any toll revenue.

Because, let's not forget, he's the same guy who promised that Mexico would pay for our border wall.

The completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge is a genuine achievement for both countries. It creates a modern, high‑capacity freeway link between Michigan and Ontario that will strengthen cross‑border trade, improve regional mobility, and provide long‑term reliability for one of North America's most important economic corridors.

The project reflects years of binational coordination, engineering work, and public investment on both sides of the river. Once open, it will offer a safer, more efficient alternative to the aging Ambassador Bridge and support continued economic growth throughout the Great Lakes region. Congratulations to both nations for delivering a major piece of shared infrastructure that will serve communities, travelers, and commerce for decades to come.

I thought you had stopped using A.I. to write stuff for you on here.

[Rothman]

*sigh*

https://gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com/proposed-agreement-in-principle/

[LilianaUwU]

*sigh*

https://gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com/proposed-agreement-in-principle/

Again, you expected Mark Carney to have a spine?

[Beltway]

The completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge is a genuine achievement for both countries. It creates a modern, high‑capacity freeway link between Michigan and Ontario that will strengthen cross‑border trade, improve regional mobility, and provide long‑term reliability for one of North America's most important economic corridors.
The project reflects years of binational coordination, engineering work, and public investment on both sides of the river. Once open, it will offer a safer, more efficient alternative to the aging Ambassador Bridge and support continued economic growth throughout the Great Lakes region. Congratulations to both nations for delivering a major piece of shared infrastructure that will serve communities, travelers, and commerce for decades to come.

I thought you had stopped using A.I. to write stuff for you on here.

I write my own posts. If you disagree with the Gordie Howe facts, address the facts.

Canada financed the bridge, WDBA owns it, and the U.S. receives no toll revenue. None of that changes based on writing style.