No tolls for cyclists travelling on the Gordie Howe Bridge

By: Pranav Patel

Cyclists may not have to pay tolls on the new Gordie Howe Bridge.

The concept of no toll is to encourage healthier lifestyle, easy transportation and eco-tourism.

According to Mark Butler, director of communications for the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, no tolls for cyclists would encourage healthier lifestyles, easy transportation options and eco-tourism.

“It will reduce the carbon footprint so it can be a consider ecological friendly way to encourage tourism of the region,” said Butler.

The new bridge spanning Windsor and Detroit is one of the largest infrastructure projects in North America. The project is separated into four sectors, including Canadian customs, the bridge itself, and connection to Interstate 75 in the U.S.

Butler said once the bridge will opens it will come with hundreds of new full-time jobs, including border officers, toll collectors, maintenance and administration workers. Butler estimates 2,500 workers will be needed for construction.

Pedestrians and cyclists will have to follow same regulations as anybody crossing the border in a car, truck or by air. They will require all legal documents in order to enter the other country.  

The bridge will be divided into separate lanes,and a fence will be added to separate pedestrians and cyclists from traffic. 

“Health and safety of the travelling public is one of our biggest concerns, we take that very seriously,” said Butler. “We would not open up the path should there be inclement weather like snow, ice or high winds.”

The bridge has received a positive community response and will provide new tourist opportunities.

“They want to encourage people to use the bridge and use it for recreation and for tourism and travel opportunities not just commercial,” said Oliver Swainson, mechanical education coordinator at Bike Windsor Essex.

“We hear of a lot Americans interested in visiting Canada, not necessarily to Windsor but to Essex County, because Essex has been developing a lot of cycle infrastructure,” said Swainson. “[The county] has been networking their towns together by using old rail trails and really developing a tourism piece and encourage people in Essex County to spend.”

Windsor used to have a pedestrian and bike crossing as part of the Ambassador Bridge but it no longer exists.

“One of the most excited people to use the new bridge crossing is myself,” said Swainson. “I cannot wait to be one of the first to ride across.”