AECOM's gordie howe bridge soon to connect united states and canada over detroit river

Gordie Howe International Bridge by AECOM Nears Completion

The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is nearing a major milestone with the imminent connection of the bridge decks over the Detroit River. This long-anticipated event will connect the United States and Canada via Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, 46 meters above the river. The bridge, once completed, will span 853 meters, making it the longest main span of any cable-stayed bridge in North America and the 10th longest in the world.

The construction, led by AECOM and architect Erik Behrens, involves 27 pre-designed deck segments, each averaging 15 meters long and 37.5 meters wide, supported by parallel stay cables. The final preparations are underway for the midspan closure, a critical and precise task in the construction process. The last segment is custom-fit, requiring adjustments based on temperature.

The bridge’s design features a gentle curve anchored by two 220-meter towers with a fan-shaped arrangement of 216 cables, creating a striking visual. The bridge deck, made of composite steel and concrete, floats high above the water in a smooth arch, transitioning seamlessly into the side spans supported by 27 pairs of stay cables and ancillary piers with tie-downs.

all images courtesy of AECOM

six-lane Gordie Howe Bridge Set to Transform Border Crossing

Architect Erik Behrens emphasizes the blend of engineering and aesthetics, highlighting the slender deck and the dynamic moiré effects of the stay cables. The bridge’s elegant form conceals utilities within its structure, maintaining a pure and graceful appearance. The project includes customs facilities on both borders and a new interchange to connect to Interstate 75 on the U.S. side.

The public will soon experience the bridge’s beauty, although further work is required, including tensioning the stay cables, installing road surfaces, barriers, a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, and finalizing the lighting systems. This lighting will transform the bridge into a nighttime sculpture and ‘work of public art.’

Scheduled for completion in the fall of 2025, the six-lane bridge will enhance border crossing capacity and support long-term international trade and travel. Named after Canadian Detroit Red Wings hockey player Gordie Howe, the bridge honors his legacy and the shared hockey culture of the two nations.

Gordie Howe International Bridge is nearing a milestone with the connection of bridge decks over the Detroit River

the bridge will connect the U.S. and Canada via Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, 46 meters above the river

once completed, the bridge will span 853 meters, making it North America’s longest cable-stayed bridge

the construction features 27 pre-designed deck segments, each 15 meters long and 37.5 meters wide

the deck, made of composite steel and concrete, floats high above the water in a smooth arch

parallel stay cables support the segments, with final preparations for the midspan closure underway

project info:

name: Gordie Howe International Bridge
architect: Erik Behrens – AECOM | @aecom
location: Detroit – Windsor

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom