After a long wait, the Gordie Howe International Bridge’s multi-use pedestrian path will officially open on Wednesday. It will be open every day, with summer hours of operation being from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last entry is at 7 p.m. As the anticipation grows, the team at the bridge is offering these reminders: Be patient. A high number of path users is expected, so expect line ups to get onto the path at border processing. The number of people that is allowed to be on the path at any one time in the initial opening days will be limited. Be prepared. Bring cross-border travel documents needed to get into both Canada and the U.S. Plan your trip. There is no on-site parking at either side. In Windsor, parking can be found at Malden Park trailhead. In Detroit, parking is at the Clark Park trailhead. Set aside enough time. A one-way crossing is roughly 20 minutes by bike or 45 minutes when walking. That doesn’t include the entrance and exits or border processing. Keep safe. Bring water and stay hydrated, wear bike safety gear, and know your limits. The entire path is three kilometres and can be steep in some areas, with around a five per cent incline. Keep others safe. Signal your intentions and give pedestrians the right of way. Travel at a low speed to give enough reaction time. If you are wanting to use the path, it is recommended you do so later in the summer or into fall to ensure a smooth crossing.
