Visit Detroit and Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island are celebrating the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, and most recently the pedestrian and cycling path which opened on Aug. 5 giving residents and visitors a new way to experience both cities.
It is the first new border crossing between Michigan and Ontario in more than six decades, and the first-ever international border crossing to join the Trans Canada Trail network.
Hundreds of pedestrians and cyclists lined up on both sides of the border before the 8 a.m. opening, many dressed in U.S. and Canadian colours for the occasion. Throughout opening day, the path exceeded expectations welcoming nearly 3,400 walkers, runners, and cyclists, according to the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.
The full port-to-port crossing spans 1.8 miles, taking about 20 minutes by bike or 45 minutes on foot, one way. The path runs seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from April through October and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November through March. The crossing also ties directly into the fabric of both cities, connecting to the Detroit Riverwalk and Iron Belle Trail on one side, and Windsor’s Riverfront Trail, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the Trans Canada Trail on the other.
“Detroit and Windsor have always been a two-nation destination, two cities, two countries, and one incredible experience along the river,” said Claude Molinari, President and CEO of Visit Detroit. “This new path gives travellers a way to feel that connection first-hand. You can walk out of a neighbourhood in Detroit and, within the hour, be standing in the heart of Windsor. That’s an experience unlike anywhere else in North America, and it’s only going to draw more visitors to explore both sides of the border.”
The pedestrian and cycling path follows the bridge’s opening to vehicle traffic on July 27, marking a new chapter for a landmark project years in the making. Traffic across the new bridge has been consistently strong as well. 8,000 vehicles crossed in the bridge’s first 12 hours of vehicle operation. Named for hockey legend Gordie Howe, who spent his career uniting fans from both destinations, the bridge itself has become a symbol of the deep ties between the two cities.
“The opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge and its Multi-Use Path represents a transformational opportunity for tourism on both sides of the border, and we are welcoming our American friends with open arms,” said Gordon Orr, CEO Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island and CEO, Invest Windsor Essex. “Windsor and Detroit have always shared a unique connection, but visitors can now experience that relationship in an entirely new way, travelling between two countries by car, bike or on foot and continuing their journey directly into our communities. For Windsor Essex, we see tremendous potential to grow cross-border visitation, encourage longer stays and introduce new audiences to the experiences, businesses and communities throughout our region. We are ready to turn this incredible new gateway into an invitation to explore even more of Windsor Essex.
For visitors, the path is a new gateway into everything Detroit and Windsor have to offer, and both cities have already built tools to help make the most of the new connection. The Detroit Greenways Coalition has mapped a dedicated route from the bridge into Corktown, Downtown Detroit, Eastern Market, Belle Isle and the Riverwalk, while Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island’s new Cycle Tourism Map lays out six routes across Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island, connecting riders to more than 125 bike-friendly certified businesses along the way.
Furthermore, the bridge could redefine how people experience Detroit and Windsor’s unique culinary scenes. Both cities were built by immigrant communities whose food traditions have flowed across the border for decades, and with recent momentum, like Detroit being named to the upcoming MICHELIN Guide American Great Lakes edition, international travellers will be able to easily experience both cities’ distinct cuisines or the Follow The Flavours program in Windsor Essex highlighting the regions cultural diversity.
Visit Detroit and Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island invite residents and visitors alike to experience the new crossing for themselves, whether for a morning run, a scenic ride, or a first cross-border day trip between two cities that have always felt like one.
