Whitmer Says Gordie Howe Bridge Will Open

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the Gordie Howe International Bridge will open, even after President Donald Trump suggested he might try to stop it.

What Michigan Governor Whitmer Said About the Bridge

Whitmer made the comment near the end of her State of the State address, pointing to the project as a historic new connection between Michigan and Canada. After decades of debate, construction and political drama, the massive bridge between Detroit and Windsor is expected to finally open sometime this year.

Trump stirred things up earlier this month in a post on Truth Social. He argued the United States should possibly own at least half of the bridge and said Canada has treated the U.S. unfairly in trade for years. Trump wrote that he would not allow the bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated. That comment quickly got attention across Michigan and Canada.

Why The Gordie Howe Bridge Matters for Michigan

The bridge has been under construction since 2018 after years of planning. While it connects Detroit to Windsor, much of the project has actually been financed by Canada. The expectation is that the cost will eventually be recovered through tolls once traffic begins crossing.

Get our free mobile app

Another wrinkle involves the Moroun family, owners of the nearby Ambassador Bridge. Reports say the family donated one million dollars to a pro Trump super PAC shortly before Trump made his comments. Around the same time, Matthew Moroun reportedly met with the U.S. Commerce Secretary.

Trump’s Comments Spark Political Reaction

Michigan leaders from both parties still say the bridge is going to open. Congressman John James called it a vital trade route and suggested Trump’s comments were more about negotiation than shutting the project down.

Whitmer also kept her comments about Trump fairly limited during the speech. She criticized Washington on healthcare costs and tariffs but also credited the administration for helping secure a new fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.