Former Windsor West MP urges Ottawa to open Gordie Howe bridge for public tours before traffic begins

The Gordie Howe International Bridge seen in Windsor, Ont. (Bob Bellacicco/CTV News Windsor)

Former Windsor West MP Brian Masse is calling on the federal government to open the Canadian side of the Gordie Howe International Bridge for public tours before the international crossing begins carrying traffic.

In a letter to federal Transport Minister Steve MacKinnon, Masse proposes guided tours or special public access days that would allow residents to experience the bridge while officials continue working toward its opening.

“It’s a unique opportunity before the traffic starts,” Masse told AM800’s Mornings with Mike and Meg on Wednesday.

“Open up the bridge to tours and access so people can actually experience it before it gets used.”

Masse said the bridge represents a historic investment by Canadians and believes residents should have an opportunity to see it up close.

“I don’t understand even how it was missed to begin with,” he said.

“It’s better than some ribbon cutting … you can still use this opportunity to use it as a historic moment for Windsorites.”

The proposal comes as the public continues to await a revised opening date for the bridge, which was expected to open this year before that timeline was postponed.

Masse said he believes public tours are feasible, noting customs officers have already been hired and trained.

“We already have the customs officers trained and ready,” he said.

“This is basically a $6 billion white elephant sitting there. So why not use it for something that could benefit?”

He suggested tours could also be tied to community fundraising events or open houses before regular traffic begins using the crossing.

Asked why he continues advocating for the project after leaving federal politics, Masse described the bridge as “unfinished business.”

“It’s just about trying to make a difference because I live here too,” he said.

“These projects … were ideas from Windsor residents that I just pushed in Parliament.”

Windsor West Conservative MP Harb Gill said the proposal deserves consideration but questioned whether it could be implemented without addressing security and operational concerns.

“Not necessarily a bad idea,” Gill said.

“Logistically speaking, you would still have some degree of co-operation from the U.S. side.”

Gill said officials would need to determine how border security, public safety and access would be managed if visitors were allowed onto the bridge before it opens.

“For the workers in Windsor, it’s a great idea,” he said.

“But logistically speaking, I would have some further questions as to how this is going to happen.”

Gill also argued the proposal should be directed to Infrastructure Canada because he said the bridge remains under that department’s authority.

The Conservative MP said he has repeatedly sought answers from the federal government about when the bridge will open.

“I’ve been asking that question for almost a year and a half now,” Gill said.

“All the people that I speak to are asking for is a degree of honesty and transparency from the federal government.”

CTV News has reached out to the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, Transport Canada and Infrastructure Canada for comment on Masse’s proposal and for an update on the bridge’s anticipated opening date. No response had been received by publication time.