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Report: Michigan-Canada bridge delay could cost up to $7M per week

February 13, 2026

The Anderson Economic Group has calculated that delaying the Gordie Howe International Bridge opening would cost approximately $7 million weekly, with the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority losing $5 million and taxpayers bearing $2 million in customs plaza expenses. President Trump has threatened to block the bridge's opening—despite Canada funding all upfront construction costs—unless Canada meets unspecified demands related to trade negotiations, tariffs, and other grievances. The bridge, connecting Detroit to Windsor and under construction since 2018, represents a critical trade link given the integrated nature of US-Canada manufacturing, particularly in the automotive sector.

Who is affected

  • Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
  • American and Canadian taxpayers (particularly Michigan residents who will own 50% interest)
  • Canadian lenders and businesses
  • Automotive industry workers and companies in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky
  • Agricultural and tourism industries dependent on border crossings
  • Residents of Detroit and Windsor
  • US Customs operations

What action is being taken

  • The Anderson Economic Group is releasing analysis and reports on the economic impact of potential delays
  • Canada is paying all upfront costs for the bridge construction
  • The Detroit Regional Chamber and other organizations are bracing for the federal review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

Why it matters

  • The Gordie Howe bridge represents the most significant infrastructure project for Michigan and the region in a generation, serving as a vital economic artery between two countries with intertwined economies spanning over a century. The bridge's importance extends beyond direct costs, affecting major industries including automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism that depend on efficient border crossings. Any delay would undermine global competitiveness, job creation, and economic growth for both the US and Canada, with particularly severe consequences for the integrated North American automotive supply chain that spans multiple states.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com