New International Bridge Rising Over the Detroit River

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is under construction, towering over the Detroit River at a height of 772 feet on the U.S. side of the river.

1 minute read

September 3, 2023, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Construction in progress on the Gordie Howe International Bridge above the Detroit River.

The state of construction on the Gordie Howe International Bridge on the U.S. side of the border in July 2023. | Gordie Howe International Bridge

The U.S. tower on the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Detroit now reaches its full height over the Detroit River, topping out at 722 feet, just a few feet shorter than the Renaissance Center.

Robin Runyan provides an update on construction progress on the new bridge border crossing for an article for Urbanize Detroit, reporting also that some of the bridge deck has been installed.

As for what to expect, “In addition to three lanes each way for vehicular traffic, the Gordie Howe International Bridge will have a multi-use path for bikes and pedestrians. The bridge is expected to open in 2025.” See Planetizen’s archive for more of the process that led to this point with the bridge project.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge website has a full set of July 2023 construction photos for more eye candy on the bridge’s construction.

Wednesday, August 30, 2023 in Urbanize Detroit

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

Skyscrapers in Jersey City.

New Jersey’s second-largest city bans standalone data centers

Jersey City will continue to allow co-location facilities, such as those meant for research institutions that store their own data.

September 4, 2026 - The Cool Down

A New Jersey train approaches people waiting at the station.

Amtrak not solely to blame for New Jersey commuter rail's unreliability, report finds

A new study from the Garden State Initiative found that NJ Transit’s budget grew 20% across a 4 year period, but reliability declined significantly over the same period.

7 hours ago - Mass Transit

A tall, gray power plant billows smoke into a blue sky.

EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants

Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.

September 15 - New York Times

A white RAPID bus. The lower half is light blue, and says RAPID in purple text. The bus is half visible, appearing from the left side of the image.

Phoenix announces new on-demand transit service, more frequent RAPID buses

Both new services will launch in October, and are part of Phoenix's Project Effective Access Solutions for Easing Congestion.

September 15 - KJZZ

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.