Monday, July 27th should finally see an official opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, with that date confirmed by Washington and Ottawa. While the details have not yet been made public, the new agreement is based on an initial 15-year term. This new arrangement is based on net revenue, or profit, split between Michigan and Canada, with those net revenues to be divided after the bridge’s annual operating costs are covered.
Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney said the nation will administer the revenues in order to make sure that Canada’s infrastructure investment is repaid.
President Trump confirmed that, under the new terms, Michigan’s 50 percent half share of those net revenues/profits will be invested into a regional development fund.
Drew Dilkens, mayor of Windsor, said he applauds the concept of the regional investment fund, but he does not think Michigan businesses or residents should plan on seeing profits from the bridge anytime soon.
Another detail in the reworked deal is that any toll increases of more than 10 percent imposed by Canada on the bridge must be approved by both the U.S. federal government and the Michigan state government. While this was an easy term for Canada to adopt, Dilkens said it is very unlikely that there will be any 10% increases on tolls at any international crossing.
The consensus, at this point, is that a badly needed new bridge will finally open. While the new terms are not quite as straightforward as the original deal with Michigan, an improved international crossing that will carry about one-quarter of all of Canada-U.S. goods traded is a net gain for both countries.
