Gordie Howe Bridge opens to cyclists and pedestrians after decades-long wait

The Gordie Howe International Bridge opened its multi-use path to pedestrians and cyclists at 8 a.m. Eastern Time on 5 August 2026. The path, approximately 2.5 kilometres long, connects Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, and reaches a height of about 46 metres above the Detroit River. It is the first time in decades that cyclists and pedestrians have been able to cross the Canada-U.S. border over the Detroit River, following a ban on the Ambassador Bridge.

Around 100 people lined up at the Canadian entrance as the gate opened. Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, speaking to CTV News, called the opening a historic moment and said the community had fought for the path over 25 years. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) estimated the crossing would take about 45 minutes on foot or 20 minutes by bike, not including border processing time. The path includes a five per cent incline in some areas, and the speed limit is 20 kilometres per hour.

The WDBA set up temporary facilities at the Canadian entrance, including porta-potties and a booth selling bridge merchandise. On the Detroit side, 400 members of the Gordie Howe International Bike Club planned to cross at 10:15 a.m., with additional crossings scheduled for later in the day. Organiser Amanda Ray told CBC News the group aimed to build connections across the border. Border officials reminded users to bring travel documents, even if they did not plan to enter the United States, as those returning to Canada would need to report to the Canada Border Services Agency.

The 13 left-rated digests and two full reports led on the emotional and community aspects of the opening. CBC News quoted cyclists and pedestrians describing the moment as "excited" and "overwhelmed", and carried statements from individuals who called the crossing a "historic moment" and a memory to pass down to their children. The full report in CBC News included interviews with named individuals, such as Collin Vassell, who crossed with his wife, and Mondrell Pickens, who crossed with 13 family members. The left-rated digests also noted the sunny weather and the presence of around 100 people at the Canadian entrance.

The Toronto Star, Global News, and other left-rated digests mentioned the path’s opening as a milestone for cross-border travel. CBC News and CTV News, both of which published full reports, included details about the path’s dimensions and the expected crossing time. CBC News also reported on the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority’s preparations, such as the setup of porta-potties and a merchandise booth, and the planned crossings by the Gordie Howe International Bike Club.

The four centre-rated digests and full reports focused on the scale of public interest and the practical details of the crossing. CTV News and CP24 led on the large crowds expected, with CTV News reporting that hundreds of people lined up on both sides of the border. The full report in CTV News included Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens’s statement that the community had fought for the path over 25 years, framing it as a victory for Windsor. The Detroit News reported that a 31-year-old Detroiter, Marcel Murray, arrived at 4:30 a.m. to be first in line on the U.S. side.

The centre-rated reports also carried the path’s dimensions, the expected crossing time, and the speed limit. CTV News noted the path’s 46-metre height and its five per cent incline. The Winnipeg Free Press digest mentioned the sunny weather and the opening time but did not include additional details beyond the basic facts.

The single right-rated digest, from the Windsor Star, led on the novelty of the crossing, stating that cyclists and pedestrians had crossed the Canada-U.S. border over the Detroit River for the first time in decades. The digest did not include details about the path’s dimensions, the expected crossing time, or the statements from Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens or the individuals who crossed.

None of the right-rated digests mention the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority’s estimate of 45 minutes to walk or 20 minutes to cycle the path. The centre-rated digests do not include the statements from individuals who crossed, such as Collin Vassell or Mondrell Pickens, which were carried in the left-rated full reports. The cost of the bridge project, referenced in the unrated digest from 1059theregion.com, is not mentioned in any of the rated digests or full reports.