Gordie Howe bridge records 270,000 crossings in first full month of operation

The Gordie Howe International Bridge recorded more than 270,000 crossings in August, its first full month of operation after opening July 27, according to Statistics Canada data released Friday.

Canadian residents made nearly 135,000 return trips across the bridge, while U.S. residents accounted for 101,000 crossings. Commercial transport trucks entering Canada via the span totalled 34,800 for the month. The new six-lane cable-stayed crossing, which spans the Detroit River between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, diverted traffic from the existing Ambassador Bridge and Windsor-Detroit Tunnel, which recorded 348,000 inbound trips by Canadian and U.S. residents combined—down more than 35 per cent compared to August 2025.

Canadian residents' overall return trips from the United States totalled 2.6 million by automobile and air in August, a nearly nine per cent increase over August 2025, following sharp declines after geopolitical tensions at the start of the year. The opening of the Gordie Howe bridge came after months of delays and diplomatic tensions involving U.S. President Donald Trump. Statistics Canada has not released official statements on the significance of August traffic volumes or projections for future crossing patterns.