With the work of hundreds of St. Clair College graduates, and thousands of others, the $6.4 billion dollar Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit is finally set to open to the public, starting July 27, 2026.
Delegates from government, industry, unions and higher education gathered on July 24 to inaugurate the Gordie Howe International Bridge at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and hockey game to mark the historic opening.
“Beyond strengthening international trade and connecting communities, the project has delivered significant local benefits, contributing an estimated $1.3 billion to Windsor’s GDP while investing in community infrastructure, neighbourhood improvements and workforce development,” reads a release from the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority. “This included more than 455 student work placements supporting youth from the region.”
Over the course of construction, which started in 2018, 15,843 people contributed to the completion of the iconic bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America. According to the Bridge Authority, those people worked a combined 20.1 million hours to get the job done.
Multiple St. Clair College graduates secured technical roles working directly on the bridge's construction and multi-use trail developments.
Students from the Civil Engineering Technology program and Research and Innovation participated in local community benefits planning, such as geotechnical and core-drilling investigations for regional historical projects.
And Mechanical Engineering Technology student Jimmy Mugenyi won a design competition to create sculptural bike racks installed at the Malden Park Trailhead, which will connect to the bike and pedestrian lanes on the Gordie Howe Bridge.
“It’s an historic day – not only for the City of Windsor, but also the Province of Ontario and Canada as a whole,” said President Michael Silvaggi. “Many St. Clair College graduates contributed to the design, construction and ongoing maintenance and operation of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. We’re proud of every single one of our St. Clair alumni who played a part in this generational project that for the next 100-plus years will stand as a beacon of accomplishment for our graduates.”
St. Clair College representatives, including former President John Strasser and current Sr. Vice President John Fairley were involved in early discussions around community benefits to support host neighbourhoods in Sandwich Town and Delray, Michigan.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was on hand at the celebration – and thanks all the workers and people in the Skilled Trades who took part in the construction of the bridge.
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge will support increased trade and good-paying jobs on both sides of the border, adding to the $82 billion in cross-border trade that Michigan and Ontario do every year,” said Premier Ford. “This bridge is a testament to the incredible legacy of Gordie Howe, and to the millions of Americans and Canadians who work together every day to make both of our countries more secure, safe and prosperous.”
“This bridge is an incredible symbol of the potential and opportunities that await workers and families on both sides of the Detroit River,” Premier Ford said. “When we work together across borders, just look at the relationship we enjoy.”
“Gordie Howe was a symbol of cooperation and success in both our countries and was an absolute champion with deep roots on both sides of the border. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is more than a new landmark on the Detroit River skyline; it’s an example of what we can achieve when our two great countries work together.”
“Let’s honour Gordie’s legacy. Let’s keep working together as two friends, allies and proudly independent countries,” said Premier Ford.
Dozens of members of Gordie Howe’s family made the trip to Windsor thanking everyone involved in the construction.
“The Howe family is so grateful that our father and mother’s legacy of love continues to live on through the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. They lived to celebrate humanity, hope, and human connection,” reads a statement from the Howe family. “They are no doubt smiling down upon us all, and we are humbled by the magnificence and magnitude of this moment. Blessings to you all!”
