The United States and Canada have reached a new agreement that will allow the long-awaited Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, to open later this month, ending a dispute over toll revenue and ownership interests.

The Canadian government announced Friday night that the $4.7 billion crossing, which had originally been scheduled to open on June 27, is now expected to begin operations on July 27 after negotiators from both countries finalized a new arrangement.

President Donald Trump had previously vowed to prevent the bridge from opening unless the United States received greater financial benefits and an ownership interest in the project.

“I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve,” Trump wrote earlier this year on Truth Social.

Following negotiations with Canadian officials, Trump announced Saturday that a revised agreement had been reached that he said delivers a significantly better outcome for the United States.

“I was able to cut a MUCH BETTER DEAL for America, and by so doing, will be allowing the new and spectacular Gordie Howe International Bridge, spanning Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, to open on July 27th, as scheduled,” he wrote.

Emphasizing his dissatisfaction with the original arrangement, Trump added, “The original deal made was unacceptable to me!” before praising the revised agreement.

“The new deal is great, and fair. Thank you and congratulations to the Canadian Government. May we both have many years of success with this wonderful new development!!!”

Canadian officials said the agreement includes several joint initiatives intended to ensure that both countries benefit from the bridge’s operation.

“Canada and the United States have agreed to a series of cooperative measures focused on toll governance and transparency, as well as investments in the region, including through the establishment of a 15-year economic development fund tied to a portion of profits from bridge operations,” the Canadian government said Friday in a statement.

According to Reuters, the agreement gives the United States half of the bridge’s toll revenue while also granting Washington approval authority over any proposed toll increases exceeding 10 percent of current rates.

Reuters reported that the agreement was negotiated by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister responsible for U.S. trade.

Named in honor of Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, the 1.5-mile international bridge is expected to become one of the busiest commercial transportation corridors between the United States and Canada. Construction began in 2018, with the project financed by the Canadian government.

{Matzav.com}