Gordie Howe International Bridge Nears Structural Completion
After nearly four years of construction, the longest suspension bridge in North America is nearing completion. Spanning the Detroit River, the Gordie Howe International Bridge will feature a towering 853-meter (2,800-foot) main span when finished, New Atlas reported on June 13.
Designed by architect Erik Behrens of AECOM in partnership with the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, Dragados, Fluor, and Aeco, the Gordie Howe International Bridge ranks as the world's tenth-longest suspension bridge. It will also boast the longest continuous concrete deck among suspension bridges upon completion. Named after Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe of the Detroit Red Wings, the bridge's towers are crafted to evoke the curve of a hockey stick.
To date, 27 deck segments, each approximately 15 meters (50 feet) long and 37.5 meters (123 feet) wide, have been installed at a height of 46 meters (150 feet) above the Detroit River, leaving just a small gap connecting Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, Michigan. The final deck segments are being fabricated and will be carefully placed over the coming weeks.
According to AECOM, two 220-meter-tall (720-foot-tall) towers and an intricate arrangement of 216 cables (108 on each side) fanning out support the deck as it crosses the river. Side spans on either side of the river are supported by 27 additional pairs of cables and three sets of pillars, helping transfer the load directly to the ground.
While the six-lane bridge is structurally complete, engineers still have several tasks to address. The suspension cables need to be precisely tensioned, and the bridge will be outfitted with a roadway surface, barriers, a multi-use path for cyclists and pedestrians, and an electrical system. The bridge is scheduled to open in 2025.
Summary
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a massive infrastructure project that will provide a much-needed transportation link between the United States and Canada. As the longest suspension bridge in North America, it showcases innovative engineering and design. With its completion in 2025, the bridge will not only improve cross-border connectivity but also serve as a striking architectural landmark.