Details on the agreement between Canada and the United States regarding a new international crossing have been released.
Just days ahead of Canadian officials' planned opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, specifics of the agreement are now public. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) posted the agreement-in-principle talking points on its official website.
Under the original 2012 Canada–Michigan Crossing Agreement, available for comparison on the U.S. State Department's website, Canada was to be reimbursed by the State of Michigan for the construction of the bridge in tolls, in exchange for Canada taking care of all construction-related costs.
The new agreement calls for Canada to provide annual "economic participation payments" equal to half of the net bridge revenues through 2041.
"Net bridge and crossing-related revenues is all revenues collected with respect to the bridge, less all incurred operating costs of the bridge. Such payments shall be made to a United States-Canada Economic Development Fund, established and solely controlled by the Government of the United States," according to the agreement on the WDBA website. "
Canada has also agreed to direct the WDBA to notify the U.S. government of any proposed toll rate adjustments for the first 15 years of operation. U.S. consent would be required for any increase above ten per cent in any one fiscal year, or any reduction in toll rates that would dip below comparable rates for similar border crossings. New toll rates would take effect within 30 days of contact unless the U.S. objects.
Construction material from both countries is used in the bridge, with workers on the span also from both Canada and the U.S. The Canadian government and the State of Michigan are co-owners of the span under the original 2012 agreement. That has not changed.
The agreement also called for the bridge to open to all forms of traffic on Monday, July 27, with a formal ceremony to be held no later than Monday, August 3.
A formal bridge opening is scheduled for Friday morning, with Canadian dignitaries invited, but the opening will not involve U.S. officials. The Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities has stated that the change was made in protest of U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of new 50 per cent tariffs on many Canadian products.
