Gordie Howe’s family 1st to cross the newly opened Canada-U.S. bridge

Gordie Howe’s family were in the first passenger vehicle to go across the new international border span on Monday, says the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA).

Howe’s grandson, also named Gordie, was in the Dodge Charger that made its way across.

“It just feels surreal to be the people who were chosen to do that,” he told reporters.

“We got a call yesterday about that … it just makes me think about all of the people who have worked on this bridge and all the people we’ve talked to today, just how happy everyone must be that this the bridge is come to fruition. It’s just, it’s an honour to have been the first to cross. “

Howe said it’s been strange to observe all of the politics around the structure from afar.

“I know it’s been frustrating for a lot of people. And so I think that makes today all the more amazing that it has actually opened today and a lot of people are very happy.”

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said in a Monday statement America welcomes the opening.

“Adding new capacity to one of the busiest and most economically significant border crossings between the United States and Canada,” he said.

“President Trump made the opening possible and has consistently prioritized a safer, more secure, and more prosperous North America.”

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer drove across the bridge in a Ford Mustang, built in Michigan, to mark the opening.

“I fought to open this bridge to strengthen the economy and connect Michiganders to opportunities on both sides of the Detroit River,” she said in a social media statement.

Tecumseh trucking company Onfreight Logistics is poised to be the first commercial vehicle to cross.

Bridge officials say the standard passenger vehicle toll will be $8 ($5.75 US) to cross and $12 ($8.75) per axle for commercial trucks, oversized vehicles and larger passenger vehicles.

The span provides a highway-to-highway connection between Ontario’s Highway 401 and Michigan’s Interstate-75 — with six traffic lanes, 16 toll lanes and 60 Canada and U.S. inspection lanes.

Walkers and bike riders will be allowed to go over the Detroit River on the span starting Aug. 5.

The one-lane path will accommodate two-way pedestrian traffic. The path is 2.5 kilometres long and 3.6 metres wide and connects into existing local trail networks on either side of the border.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is reminding travellers planning trips across the bridge to be prepared and to anticipate heavy traffic.

“Being prepared will help minimize delays at the port of entry,” the CBP said in a statement.

They say to have applicable travel documents readily available, and for crossers to accurately declare all goods, alcohol, and agriculture items. And that while legal in some states, marijuana remains illegal under U.S. federal law.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens says he’s weighing the long-term benefits of the span versus current tensions on either side of the Detroit River.

“I just look at this and say it’s taken us 25 years to build this bridge, and it will stand for more than a hundred,” he told CBC Radio’s The Current.

“The disruptions that we’re feeling today, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the … tweet of the day. Let’s play the long game here and recognize that what we’ve created together will stand to the benefit of families on both sides of the border, businesses on both sides of the borders for many generations to come.”

Bryan Barnett is the Mayor of Rochester Hills, Mich., in the Detroit metro area. He also spoke with CBC Radio’s The Current.

He doesn’t think the political and economic climate overshadows Monday’s opening of the bridge to traffic.

“I don’t think it diminishes it because I think people understand, as Mayor Dilkens said, the long game here is what’s important, and I think that’s true in the trade discussions as well. I mean, Michigan is so dependent on trade with Ontario and particularly trade with Canada as well, that it just, it’s too important.”

Barnett says he’s not a fan of tariffs and doesn’t think they’ve worked well in curbing economic behaviour.

“I hope that we use the next few weeks, both the president and the prime minister and the leaders on both sides to negotiate quickly to something that doesn’t end up looking like it has in the past.”

According to Dilkens, the Gordie Howe span is not a bridge over “troubled waters.”

“There is no light of day between Bryan Barnett and Drew Dilkens and between most people in the United States and Canada at this point,” he said.

“We are good friends, we love our friends in the United States and I don’t want to let Donald Trump overshadow what is a momentous day for us here.”