Anticipation Is Building: A First Look at the Gordie Howe International Bridge

There's something electric about watching a megaproject rise-especially one that reshapes the future of two nations. That's exactly what's happening in Detroit, where the Gordie Howe International Bridge is nearing completion and sparking renewed interest and admiration from engineers, operators, and communities alike.

As anticipation grows for the bridge's grand opening in 2025, IBTTA is offering an exclusive preview as part of this month's Maintenance, Engineering, and Roadway Operations Workshop, taking place July 26-29 in Detroit. For attendees, it's a rare chance to go behind the scenes of one of the most ambitious transportation projects in North America-before it opens to the public.

This new six-lane cable-stayed bridge will provide much-needed capacity at the busiest commercial land gateway between the United States and Canada. Once open, it will deliver highway-to-highway connectivity between I-75 in Detroit and Highway 401 in Windsor, helping to streamline freight movement, reduce congestion, and support economic activity on both sides of the border. With state-of-the-art ports of entry at either end, the bridge is also redefining how border infrastructure can balance speed, security, and sustainability.

But for all its significance, what makes this project truly remarkable is what you can't see from afar: the complex engineering, thoughtful design, and cross-border collaboration driving it forward. That's why IBTTA is proud to offer Maintenance, Engineering, and Roadway Operations Workshop participants a guided driving tour of the Gordie Howe International Bridge site-an immersive, up-close look at a once-in-a-generation infrastructure achievement.

On Saturday, July 26, representatives from the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority will lead a bus tour of the U.S. Port of Entry and the bridge's U.S. footprint, highlighting the innovative features that make this project stand out. You'll get a first-hand view of the construction zone, learn about the integrated transportation systems taking shape, and hear directly from those helping bring this complex structure to life. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged to secure your spot on this highly anticipated technical tour.

This behind-the-scenes experience is just one of the many reasons Detroit is the perfect host city for this year's Maintenance, Engineering, and Roadway Operations Workshop. With its deep transportation roots and forward-looking spirit, the city offers a compelling backdrop to explore the evolution of roadway operations, from AI and automation to safety, maintenance, and resilience.

And the focus on bridges doesn't stop with the Gordie Howe International Bridge tour.

On Monday, July 29, IBTTA's 2023 Past President Andrew Fremier will lead a timely general session titled "Safeguarding Bridges: Insights from 2025 NTSB Recommendations." This panel will dive into the challenges facing bridges over navigable waterways and how operators are responding to new recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

As bridge owners face increasing risks from vessel strikes, outdated design standards, and evolving maritime conditions, this session will explore how technical assessments, mitigation strategies, and response plans are being balanced against funding limitations, insurance complexities, and coordination with the maritime community. Panelists will offer candid insights into the pressures and priorities facing today's bridge operators and the practical realities of keeping critical infrastructure safe and operational.

From a transformative new international crossing to the hard question of safeguarding the bridges we already have, Detroit sets the stage for one of IBTTA's most impactful workshops yet.