The Gordie Howe International Bridge, a new bridge linking Canada and the U.S. across the Detroit River, is nearing completion. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Tuesday that the ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Friday. The bridge is expected to welcome traffic later this month.

Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump attempted to block the construction, insisting that Canada hand over half of the bridge’s ownership to the U.S. federal government. Trump’s demand was part of broader issues surrounding cross-border trade, coinciding with the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a joint venture between Canada and Michigan. The Canadian government funded the project to alleviate traffic on the existing Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor tunnel. Former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder successfully negotiated the project, which began construction in 2018.

Named after Gordie Howe, a legendary Canadian hockey player with a long career with the Detroit Red Wings, the bridge connects Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit. This infrastructure is crucial for commerce between the two countries.

Carney emphasized the significance of the bridge as a testament to the cooperation between Canada and the U.S. He noted the benefits for both nations, including improved travel and commerce.

Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan described the Canadian-financed bridge as immensely beneficial for her state and its economic prospects. Despite Trump’s assertions, Michigan and Canada share equal ownership of the structure. Canada financed the bridge and will recover costs with toll revenues.

The new bridge will operate alongside the Ambassador Bridge, which still handles 25% of the trade between the U.S. and Canada. This route is particularly vital to the automotive industry. Previous attempts by the Moroun family, who own the Ambassador Bridge, to halt construction of the new bridge have been unsuccessful.