People can now walk or cycle between the United States and Canada using a new cross-border pathway on the Gordie Howe International Bridge, giving travelers a toll-free way to reach the neighboring country in less than an hour.
The bridge’s new multiuse path opened to the public on August 5, days after the Gordie Howe International Bridge itself opened last week on July 27. The cable-stayed bridge spans 150 feet (46 meters) above the Detroit River between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor in Ontario. It is the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America and the 10th longest cable-stayed bridge in the world.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) has described the pathway as a major new connection for residents and visitors.
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Chuck Andary, the authority’s interim chief executive officer and chief legal officer, told Newsweek that the path reflects years of community involvement in the project.
“The multi-use path is a great example of the role the community has played in shaping the Gordie Howe International Bridge,” Andary said, noting its opening is the result of the support of the WDBA board, designers, engineers, and border agencies.
The bridge was originally proposed to provide additional capacity for trade between Detroit and Windsor, one of North America’s busiest commercial corridors. Before its construction, which began in 2018, trade traffic between the two cities relied on the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. The new crossing adds another vital link between the U.S. and Canada while also creating a new route for pedestrians and cyclists.
The opening of the record-breaking bridge followed months of controversy.
In February 2026, President Donald Trump threatened to block the bridge’s opening unless the U.S. was compensated for what he described as unfair treatment by the Canadian government.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve.”
Last month, Canadian officials canceled a planned joint ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the bridge after Trump imposed additional 50 percent tariffs on certain goods from Canada in response to what the Trump administration believed to be unfair treatment from Canada.
A spokesperson for Canadian Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson told Time last month that “in light of trade action threatened by the United States earlier this week, it would be inappropriate to proceed with a celebratory event between the two countries.”
A New Way to Cross the Border
Cyclists should expect a one-way trip of about 20 minutes, while pedestrians should allow around 45 minutes to cross. Those estimates do not include the time needed to reach the bridge entrances or complete border processing, according to the bridge’s website. The bridge is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Users must carry the travel documents required for entry and reentry into both countries. Access to the path is free, but entry will initially be restricted on a first-come, first-served basis to maintain a safe and comfortable experience. Cyclists and pedestrians are not permitted to gather or queue on the roadway, and visitors will not be admitted before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
Travelers are encouraged to consider making the trip later in the summer or during the fall, noting that limits on the number of people allowed on the path at one time are intended to support smooth operations during the opening period.
Tourism and Cross-Border Connections
Andary said the pathway extends beyond transportation, describing it as part of “a binational trail network that links communities and provides new opportunities for recreation, tourism and cross-border experiences while celebrating all the Windsor-Detroit region has to offer.”
Heather Grondin, chief relations officer at the WDBA, told Newsweek that interest has already been strong among cycling groups, tourism organizations, and local residents on both sides of the border. She described the pathway as “a unique international attraction.”
Grondin said the project directly resulted from public consultation conducted before construction began. Residents and stakeholders had requested a “safe active-transportation connection” between Windsor and Detroit, she said, and the bridge now provides that opportunity.
She also emphasized that the route links existing trail networks and destinations in both cities while strengthening the longstanding ties between the neighboring communities.
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Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Sirena Bergman and Sam Wilson.