Abstract Manager

The Gordie Howe International Bridge (GHIB) is a new six-lane, cable-stayed international crossing connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, developed to improve cross-border trade, mobility, and network resiliency between Canada and the United States. The project is owned by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), a Canadian Crown corporation, with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) acting as the U.S. partner. The bridge, ports of entry (POEs), and connecting roadways represent one of the most complex transportation infrastructure projects ever undertaken in North America.  As the largest Canada–U.S. trade corridor, the project directly supports nation-building objectives by enhancing the reliability, capacity, and security of Canada’s international transportation network.

The preferred bridge alignment and POE configurations were established through the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) International Environmental Assessment (IEA), initiated in January 2005, with the Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) issued in January 2008. A comprehensive long-list and short-list evaluation process was undertaken, considering multiple bridge corridor alignments and POE locations on both sides of the border. Alternatives were assessed against environmental, technical, operational, and community criteria, culminating in the selection of a single preferred alternative that balanced transportation performance with environmental protection and constructability.

Key issues influencing bridge and approach geometrics included navigation clearance requirements over the Detroit River, complex urban interfaces, proximity to existing rail and utility corridors, community impacts, and the need to integrate with existing freeway systems. The design process required reconciliation of multiple design standards, including TAC, MTO, AASHTO, MDOT, and various municipal and city standards, through a performance-based approach that respected jurisdictional requirements while achieving a cohesive and constructible design.

Key design criteria addressed the international bridge span arrangement, approach roadway design speeds, ramp geometrics, and border processing requirements at the Canadian POE. The Canadian POE geometrics were driven by inspection processing flows, security requirements, truck maneuvering needs, and future expandability. Construction introduced significant challenges, including constrained urban conditions, complex geotechnical environments, and binational coordination—factors that informed both design evolution and construction staging in delivering infrastructure essential to a strong and connected Canada.