Howe family helps celebrate completion of Gordie Howe bridge deck

Sons of the late NHL legend Gordie Howe say they are looking forward to one day crossing the bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit that bears their father's name.

"I can't wait until the opening day... I want to get a car that we can put some number nine flags on and get the Howes out there waving," Marty Howe told reporters on the bridge Wednesday.

His brother, Murray, wants to take advantage of the border crossing's multi-use path, he said.

"I'm looking forward to hiking across it and biking across it and driving across it. It'll be such an amazing experience to be able to ride a bike and see the downtown area of both countries. It's just going to be fantastic."

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is inching closer and closer to its fall 2025 completion date.

But the Howe family members were among scores of guests and dignitaries on hand to mark another milestone in the construction — the completion of the road deck connecting both sides.

"This project is so much more than a bridge," said Sean Fraser, the federal minister of housing, infrastructure and communities. "To me, it represents the connection between Canada and the United States, our largest trading partner and our strongest ally."

Officials say 11,000 people have had a hand in getting the Gordie Howe International Bridge to this point, and more than 13 million work hours have been completed to date. 

As with the other crossings between Detroit and Windsor, there will be a toll to cross the bridge; the amount hasn't been announced yet. Though, there was a hint of how it might stack up.

Charl van Niekerk, CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, said it'll be reviewed in view of the economic impact and what's "reasonable" for the consumer.

What will it cost to cross?

 "It will be less than other crossings in the area, and we'll make announcements in the new year," he said.

The bridge, which is being built through a public-private partnership, has been under construction since 2018. The current cost, $6.4 billion, is about $700 million more than expected. A fall completion in 2025 is later than planned, mostly due to pandemic pressures put on the supply chain.

But on Wednesday, Fraser hinted completion could be earlier if things go well.

"The pace that they're working right now, depending on conditions, create different possibilities. But I just want to make sure that we stick to the schedule that we have agreed to. Should things fall into place, that would be a wonderful thing, but right now, we're gearing towards opening by next fall."

Van Niekerk, however, said he's committing to fall.

Fabio Costante, the Windsor city councillor who represents the area, said the completion of the bridge will have a big impact on his ward. He said there's expected to be a dramatic reduction in truck traffic on Huron Church Road, the roadway leading up to the Ambassador Bridge, once the Gordie Howe bridge opens. 

"I think that's going to be a big, big win for the west end and certainly something that a lot of folks are looking forward to," he added.

With less truck traffic, Costante said he sees the Huron Church area ripe for additional development.

The trucking industry is also looking forward to the effect the new bridge will have.

Stephen Laskowski, president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, said the bridge's direct connection to Highway 401 will create a seamless route into the U.S.

"It's going to make truck transit times faster. It's going to help our nation's truck drivers, and by extension, it's going to help the Canadian economy," he said.