A massive new bridge linking the United States and Canada is expected to open within days, moving forward despite earlier warnings from President Donald Trump that he might prevent the project from entering service.

Officials overseeing the project said Monday that the $4.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge remains on schedule for its long-awaited debut. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony is anticipated later this week, according to a source familiar with the plans, while media reports in Detroit indicate traffic could begin crossing the bridge as soon as June 15.

The project attracted political attention earlier this year when Trump suggested he could block its opening. In February, he pointed to several disputes with Canada — including restrictions on certain American alcoholic products, Canadian dairy tariffs, and Ottawa’s trade discussions with China — as reasons he might withhold approval.

Neither the Canadian Embassy in Washington nor representatives for Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer offered comment on the latest developments. The White House also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A spokesperson for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority said work is advancing smoothly toward an opening by June 21, describing the crossing as “which will be a vital economic link between the two countries.”

Construction on the bridge began in 2018. Canada financed the project after the United States declined to contribute funding, with the investment expected to be recouped through toll revenue collected over the next three decades.

At a Senate hearing last week, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin indicated that federal preparations are complete, telling lawmakers the department was “good to go” when it comes to staffing the new crossing.

The bridge is expected to reduce congestion at the nearby Ambassador Bridge, currently the busiest commercial crossing between the United States and Canada. As of 2023, trucks moving through that corridor transported approximately $126 billion worth of goods.

According to a study conducted by the University of Windsor, the new crossing could shorten border transit times by roughly 20 minutes and generate an estimated $2.3 billion in savings for the trucking industry over a 30-year period.

Trump has repeatedly clashed with Canada during his second term, threatening a variety of trade and economic measures against America’s northern neighbor while imposing significantly higher tariffs.

In January, Trump warned that Canada could face a 100% tariff if it proceeded with a trade agreement involving China.

That same month, he also threatened action against Canada’s aerospace sector, saying the United States would decertify certain Bombardier aircraft and impose 50% tariffs on all Canadian-made planes unless Ottawa approved several aircraft produced by Gulfstream, an American competitor. The dispute was later resolved after Canada certified some of the U.S.-manufactured planes, prompting Trump to withdraw the threat.

{Matzav.com}