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2w ago

Gordie Howe Bridge Finished but Opening Halted as Donor Ties Draw Scrutiny

The pause raises questions about whether a major donor influenced U.S. intervention in a project meant to ease cross‑border trade.

This combination of photos shows Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., Feb. 6, 2025, in Washington, left, Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago, center, and Abdul El-Sayed in Detroit on July 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., J. Scott Applewhite, Paul Sancya)
FILE - The Gordie Howe Bridge is shown under construction between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is shown from Windsor on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
FILE - Canadian and American flags are shown on the Gordie Howe Bridge under construction between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, May 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

Overview

  • The Canada‑financed Gordie Howe International Bridge is complete but remains closed with no new opening date after a planned June 12 ribbon‑cutting was paused at the request of U.S. officials.
  • President Trump publicly demanded in February that the United States receive greater ownership and compensation for the bridge, and U.S. agencies have since said unresolved technical and operational matters must be settled before it opens.
  • Reporting shows Matthew Moroun, owner of the competing Ambassador Bridge, gave $1 million to a Trump‑aligned super PAC this year and met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick shortly before the president’s February post.
  • On June 24 Democratic Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow released an ad that accuses the president of blocking the opening to help the Moroun family and uses the delay as a central campaign issue in the Michigan primary.
  • The pause affects trade and local workers by keeping a second, publicly backed border crossing closed, revives long‑running ownership and toll disputes between Canada and Michigan, and has sharpened partisan and media coverage of federal decision making.