Gordie Howe International Bridge

AECOM is the lead designer/design manager of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, Canada, with Detroit, Michigan, U.S. This new six-lane bridge will be approximately 2.5 kilometers long, with a main span of 853 meters. The bridge width accommodates future expansion to eight lanes, while still including a pedestrian trail. It will be the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America and will also set the record for longest composite steel and concrete cable-stayed bridge deck in the world.  Once complete, it will provide a much-needed crossing alternative at the busiest Canada-US commercial border crossing. 

This mega project is actually four projects in one since it includes the Canadian and U.S. Ports of Entry as well as the reconfiguration of the Michigan Interchange. When complete, the Canadian Port of Entry will be the largest Canadian port along the Canada-US border, and the US Port of Entry will be one of the largest in North America. These include inbound and outbound border inspection facilities, tolling operation and maintenance facilities. 

The team was also responsible for the new highway interchange connecting the US Port of Entry to the I-75 in Michigan, as well as local road improvements, road bridges and pedestrian bridges. There are five pedestrian bridges being built to provide safe access to services within the community. 

The project is being delivered on behalf of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority through a public-private partnership. As part of the Bridging North America team, AECOM’s vast global network of architects, planners, engineers, safety specialists, roadway experts, landscapers, interior designers and dozens of other technical practices collaborated to bring this project to life, and deliver a functional and iconic design that will act as a new gateway symbol for Canada and the United States. 

As this project spans two countries, one state and one province, an efficient plan was needed to coordinate with all the many relevant stakeholders and to secure necessary permits and approvals from each of these jurisdictions.