File photo – The Gordie Howe Bridge is seen under construction between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit
The United States and Canada will open the postponed Gordie Howe International Bridge linking Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, on July 27, after the Canadian government agreed to give the United States a share of net loss profits, officials familiar with the matter said.
The deal ends a tense standoff between the two business partners.Canada paid for the $4.5 billion bridge over the Detroit River after years of opposition from the owners of the current Ambassador Bridge, who recently made a large donation to a political group allied with President Donald Trump.Under the agreement, Canada will share the equivalent of half of operating profits, after operating expenses and direct proceeds to the US-administered Regional Development Fund, officials said. Officials said the basic text of the original deal — which was between Canada and the state of Michigan only — had not been changed.Under the original terms, Canada was to collect bridge tolls until construction costs were recovered, after which the revenues would be divided equally.(Bloomberg)