View of the Canadian side of the Detroit River and the Gordie Howe Bridge, as seen from the United States..
Henry Larson/NPR
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Henry Larson/NPR
Every year, millions of trucks carrying billions of dollars worth of auto parts, cars and a long list of other goods pass through checkpoints along a small stretch of the U.S.-Canada border.
It is known as North Americaโs busiest land crossing and is located between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.
NPRโs Don Gonyea recently visited the crossing to take a look at the brand new bridge, which has been completed and closed.
Construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, named in honor of the Hall of Fame Canadian-born hockey legend who played for the Detroit Red Wings, began in 2018. Its opening was supposed to take place early this year. This was before President Trump intervened with a social media post.
Trump demanded that Canada share ownership with the United States before he would allow the bridge to open. Months passed. The bridge administration actually planned a grand opening in June. But at the last moment it was canceled.
Stephen Laskowski is president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance and head of the Ontario Trucking Association. He was about to go to the grand opening when he heard about it.
โI was about to leave. My wife said, โYour phone is ringingโโฆ she said donโt go,โ Laskowski told NPR.
The Canadian government and Michigan jointly own the bridge. Canada agreed to cover construction costs and share tolls with the government once costs were recovered.
But the president said thatโs not enough. Some Canadian politicians have suggested that the owners of a rival bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor are responsible for Trumpโs interest in delaying the opening. The Moroun family, which owns the Ambassador Bridge, has donated millions to Republicans in recent years, including donating $1 million to a Trump-backed super PAC.
Gonyea spoke with WDET reporter Alex McLenon, Canadians and others to understand how the bridge closure is spreading across the continent.
Listen to the full story by clicking the blue play button above.