FOLLOW US

The long-awaited Gordie Howe International Bridge is inching closer to welcoming travelers, and officials have finally unveiled a key piece of the puzzle: the Gordie Howe Bridge tolls.

For drivers and truckers who cross between Canada and the United States, the announcement offers a glimpse of what the new crossing will cost—and how it could reshape traffic along one of North America’s busiest trade corridors.

Passenger and Commercial Toll Rates Announced

Bridge authorities confirmed that the standard toll for passenger vehicles will be $8 CAD (about $5.75 USD) per crossing.

Commercial trucks, oversized vehicles and larger passenger vehicles will pay $12 CAD (about $8.75 USD) per axle, a rate designed to reflect the heavier traffic loads carried by freight haulers.

To ease the flow of vehicles and encourage adoption of electronic tolling, officials also introduced “Breakaway,” a vehicle tag program. Drivers enrolled in the system will receive a 25% discount and the flexibility to use any open toll lane.

With that discount applied:

• Passenger vehicles will pay $6 CAD

• Larger vehicles will pay $9.60 CAD per axle

The electronic pass aims to streamline border traffic much like an express lane on a crowded highway—rewarding drivers who opt for faster, automated payments.

A Major New Gateway Between Canada and the U.S.

The bridge operator said the international span is scheduled to open this spring, forming a direct highway-to-highway connection between Ontario Highway 401 and Interstate 75.

When fully operational, the crossing will feature:

• Six traffic lanes

• 16 toll lanes

• 60 inspection lanes shared by Canadian and U.S. border authorities

The design aims to keep goods and travelers moving across the border with minimal friction—an economic lifeline for trade between the two countries.

“Just as crews are fine-tuning every detail of the project, we’re ensuring a smooth start for all travellers and delivering on our commitment of a modern and efficient border crossing,” said David Henderson, chief executive officer of Bridging North America.

Competing With Existing Crossings

The new toll rates place the Gordie Howe Bridge tolls below the price currently charged by the privately owned Ambassador Bridge, which costs $14 CAD ($10 USD) for cars, buses and motorcycles.

A representative for the Ambassador Bridge did not respond to requests for comment following the toll announcement.

For residents on the Canadian side of the border, the pricing signals fresh competition—and potentially better options for crossing.

Local Residents React to Pricing

Windsor resident Dariuss Piatkoeski said the newly announced rates strike the right balance.

“I think they need to compete with the tunnel and the Ambassador Bridge,” Piatkoeski told CBC News.

“Personally for me, the new bridge is a winner,” he added, saying he plans to use the crossing once it opens.

Another Windsor resident, Louis Elachkar, also welcomed the news.

The rates, he said, are “great,” adding he is eager to begin using the bridge when it opens to traffic.

Trucking Industry Sees Potential Relief

For freight companies that rely on cross-border routes daily, the new toll structure could bring meaningful cost savings.

Buerhan Maierdan, president of Etlas Freight, said trucking businesses have had limited options for nearly two decades.

During that time, he said, the Ambassador Bridge has been the primary route for commercial transport.

According to Maierdan, crossing that bridge costs about $100 USD one way for an 18-wheeler carrying produce between Canada and the United States.

“We’ve been getting taken advantage of,” he said.

Maierdan suggested the new bridge could push competitors to reconsider their pricing.

He would not be surprised, he said, if the Ambassador Bridge lowers its rates once the Gordie Howe span begins operating.

“I hope this new bridge opens up soon that helps everybody, not only the trucking industry, but consumers as well,” Maierdan said.

He emphasized that Windsor remains a critical trade corridor between the United States and Canada, making reliable and affordable crossings essential.

Tunnel Operator Calls Rates “Very Reasonable”

Officials connected to the Windsor–Detroit Tunnel also weighed in on the announcement.

Tal Czudner, CEO of the tunnel operator, described the tolls as “very reasonable.”

He said the new bridge is ultimately “a great thing for our community,” offering travelers another convenient option to move between the two countries.

Czudner noted that the tunnel remains the cheapest option for many drivers if they use the Nexpress electronic tag, which lowers passenger vehicle crossings to $5.90 CAD.

Still, he expressed hope that travelers will continue to choose one of the two Canadian-side crossings when moving between Detroit and Windsor.

With the Gordie Howe Bridge tolls now set and the opening just around the corner, the new span may soon reshape cross-border travel—like adding a fresh artery to the economic heartbeat of North American trade.