New Detroit Bridge Lets Pedestrians Walk From the US to Canada for the First Time in Decades

People can now walk or cycle between the United States and Canada using a new toll-free pathway on the Gordie Howe International Bridge, offering travellers a way to cross into the neighbouring country in under an hour on foot.

The bridge's multiuse path opened to the public on August 5, 2026, days after the Gordie Howe International Bridge itself opened on July 27. The cable-stayed structure spans 150 feet above the Detroit River, connecting Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario, and ranks as the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America and the 10th longest in the world.

Chuck Andary, interim chief executive officer and chief legal officer of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), said the pathway reflects years of community involvement in the project, crediting the WDBA board, designers, engineers and border agencies for its completion.

The bridge was originally proposed to add capacity for trade between Detroit and Windsor, one of North America's busiest commercial corridors, previously served only by the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. Construction began in 2018, and the new crossing now also provides a dedicated route for pedestrians and cyclists.

The opening followed months of controversy. In February 2026, President Donald Trump threatened to block the bridge from opening unless the United States received compensation for what he described as unfair treatment from Canada. Canadian officials later cancelled a planned joint ribbon-cutting ceremony after Trump imposed additional 50 percent tariffs on certain Canadian goods.

Cyclists should expect a one-way crossing of about 20 minutes, while pedestrians should allow roughly 45 minutes, according to the bridge's website. Those estimates exclude time needed to reach the entrances or complete border processing. The path operates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and travellers must carry valid documents for entry and reentry into both countries.

Access to the pathway is free, though entry is initially limited on a first-come, first-served basis to keep the experience safe and manageable during the opening period. Cyclists and pedestrians are not permitted to queue on the roadway itself.

Heather Grondin, chief relations officer at the WDBA, said interest has already been strong among cycling groups, tourism organisations and residents on both sides of the border, describing the pathway as a unique international attraction. She said the route emerged directly from public consultation, after residents requested a safe active-transportation link between Windsor and Detroit, and now connects existing trail networks and destinations in both cities.