The Gordie Howe International Bridge is still set to open this fall, and when it does, drivers can expect features designed to improve traffic flow, including flexible lanes that can adjust direction, based on demand.
Details on the progress of the bridge were shared during a public update Thursday afternoon at Mackenzie Hall.
Instead of the planned three lanes in each direction, overhead signage will allow operators to modify the configuration.
For example, if commercial traffic is particularly heavy heading into the U.S., the bridge can be adjusted to provide four U.S.-bound lanes and two Canada-bound lanes.
“That flexibility is going to help us achieve the efficiency that this bridge really stands for,” said Heather Grondin, chief relations officer with the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.
“Having that ability to respond and reflect on what traffic is like allows us to make real-time decisions.”
Grondin said the dynamic lane system is part of the bridge’s intelligent transportation network, designed to keep traffic moving efficiently in both directions. The system will be capable of assessing real-time conditions and adjusting to manage traffic flow.
The bridge is also set to accommodate oversized loads and hazardous materials, something that isn’t permitted on the nearby Ambassador Bridge.
That’s made possible through a combination of structural design and advanced safety systems, including a fire suppression network that will be in place throughout the crossing.
“We need to make sure that the processes, should there be an incident, are in place and working well,” Grondin said.
Allowing hazardous materials to cross the Gordie Howe Bridge is expected to ease pressure on other crossings, especially the Ambassador Bridge, which has long been limited in what it can accommodate.
Lighting will also play a major role in the bridge’s operations, with more than 5,000 aesthetic lights designed to illuminate the structure. Those fixtures are separate from the standard overhead lighting required for safe nighttime driving.
Combined, the systems will provide visibility, enhance security, and ensure the bridge maintains its visual identity as a key international landmark.
While construction is still ongoing, Grondin said much of the current focus is on ensuring these technological systems are tested and ready to function as intended once the project is finished.
“People think of bridges as concrete and steel, but this is a high-tech structure,” she said.
“We need to ensure that when someone drives up to the toll booth, their RFID tag is read instantly, and that information goes from the camera to the traffic management centre without a glitch. We also need to make sure that first responders and transportation agencies on both sides of the border are connected to our system in real time.”
That work will continue even after construction ends. Grondin said once the final pieces are in place, teams will focus on testing those systems to ensure they operate smoothly on opening day.
“The end of construction is actually the start of operations,” she said.
“That’s what all these years have led up to — ensuring everything runs as seamlessly as possible on opening day. We’ll be asking for some patience, but the goal is to make sure things work as efficiently as they can right from the start.”
