Gordie Howe

What Gordie Howe does

Gordie Howe International Bridge is a C$6.4 billion, publicly funded international crossing connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan across the Detroit River, with the longest main span in North America at 853 meters and the largest land Ports of Entry on the Canada–U.S. border. The project is delivered by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), a Canadian Crown corporation, through a public-private partnership with Bridging North America — a consortium of FlatironDragados, Fluor, and Aecon responsible for design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the bridge, Ports of Entry, and Michigan Interchange. Construction began in 2018 under a 2012 bilateral Crossing Agreement, with the bridge deck completed in 2025 and a targeted 2026 opening that has been complicated by U.S. political pressure.

The commercial operation centers on the Breakaway electronic toll collection system, operated by BNA O&M General Partnership on behalf of WDBA. Breakaway supports personal prepaid accounts (minimum C$50 deposit, up to four tags), business prepaid accounts (minimum C$150 deposit, unlimited tags), and high-volume business postpaid accounts (minimum 1,000 crossings per month, 30-day terms, financial guarantees). Tolls are levied as flat fees for passenger vehicles (with a height-based cutoff to large-vehicle classification) and axle-based rates for commercial vehicles, supplemented by recovery fees, interest on overdue balances, and NSF charges. Distribution is multi-channel: Breakaway online portal, mobile app (announced November 2025), Breakaway Customer Care telephone support, and physical community liaison offices in Sandwich/Windsor and Delray/Detroit. Customers are segmented into personal travelers (commuters, cross-border visitors) and commercial vehicle operators (trucking and logistics fleets), with no named anchor enterprise accounts disclosed.

Name

Gordie Howe

Legal name

Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority

Website

https://gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Gordie Howe International Bridge is a Canadian Crown corporation project delivering a C$6.4 billion, 853-meter-main-span crossing between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, operated via the Breakaway electronic tolling system and targeting personal travelers and commercial freight operators in the busiest U.S.–Canada trade corridor.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Toll Bridge Infrastructure

NAICS

Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (23731)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Bridges, Viaducts & Elevated Guideway Construction (IMAFAFAF)

Keywords

• International bridge crossing
• Electronic toll collection
• Border infrastructure services
• Commercial freight crossing
• Public-private partnership

Headquarters

HQ city

Windsor

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Toll Collection - Passenger Vehicles: Tolls are charged at a flat rate for passenger vehicles depending on the height of the vehicle. Vehicles equal to or greater than 2.3 metres in height may be classified as large vehicles. Personal vehicles with mounted accessories are encouraged to use attended toll lanes to ensure appropriate rates are applied.
2. Toll Collection - Commercial Vehicles: Axle-based rates for commercial vehicles. Charges include toll charges, administrative fees, interest charges on unpaid balances (for postpaid accounts), and recovery fees for unpaid tolls.
3. Breakaway Prepaid Account Fees: Prepaid account revenue includes minimum initial deposits ($50 personal, $150 business), automatic replenishment fees, and potential paper statement fees. Recovery fees imposed for unpaid tolls: $10-20 for personal (30-60 days), $50-100 for business (30-60 days), and $25 NSF fee.
4. Breakaway Postpaid Account Fees: Postpaid business account revenue includes monthly invoicing with 30-day payment terms. Accounts subject to 3% interest on overdue balances, administrative fees, and potential financial guarantee requirements (letter of credit, performance bond).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a cross-border toll bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan across the Detroit River, featuring the longest cable-stayed main span in North America at 853 meters. It is delivered through a public-private partnership between Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) and Bridging North America, and offers crossing capacity for personal travelers and commercial freight operators. Revenue is generated through tolls collected via the Breakaway electronic toll collection system, supported by two state-of-the-art Ports of Entry, the I-75 Michigan Interchange, and a multi-use pedestrian and cyclist path.

Product overview

The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is a major infrastructure undertaking comprising the physical bridge crossing (with an 853-meter main span, the longest in North America) connecting Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, plus the adjacent Gordie Howe International Bridge Crossing. The project includes Canadian and US Ports of Entry, the Michigan I-75 Interchange, and a Multi-Use Path for pedestrians and cyclists. The commercial tolling operation is delivered through the Breakaway electronic toll collection system, which offers both prepaid and postpaid account options accessible via an online customer portal and mobile application (planned). Breakaway accounts enable users to obtain vehicle tags and pay tolls electronically when crossing the bridge. The overall project is delivered by Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA), a Canadian Crown corporation, in partnership with Bridging North America (BNA), the private-sector partner responsible for design, construction, financing, operations, and maintenance through a public-private partnership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Breakaway: Electronic toll collection system operated by BNA on behalf of WDBA for the Gordie Howe International Bridge, enabling registered account owners to obtain tags and make electronic payment of tolls.

Products and services

• Gordie Howe International Bridge A landmark international bridge infrastructure project connecting Windsor, Ontario (Canada) and Detroit, Michigan (USA) across the Detroit River, providing crossing redundancy, traffic capacity, expanded border processing, and highway-to-highway connectivity for personal travelers and commercial freight.
• Breakaway Electronic Toll Collection System Electronic toll collection system enabling registered account holders to obtain tags and make electronic payment (prepaid or postpaid) of tolls to cross the Gordie Howe International Bridge, with Gordie Howe Bridge tags prioritized over other agency tags.
• Breakaway Prepaid Account Prepaid toll account with minimum initial deposit ($50 CAD/USD for personal, $150 CAD/USD for business), automatic or manual replenishment, free tags, and up to 4 tags per personal account or unlimited tags per business account.
• Breakaway Postpaid Account

Quantifiable outcome

• Longest main span in North America at 853 meters
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bridging North America (BNA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Bridging North America is the private sector partner responsible for designing, building, financing, operating, and maintaining the Canadian and US Ports of Entry and the bridge, as well as designing, building, and financing the Michigan Interchange, through a public-private partnership. BNA is comprised of FlatironDragados, Fluor, and Aecon - companies with local expertise, world-class transportation experience, and proven bridge and road infrastructure delivery capability. Michigan will be responsible for operating and maintaining the Michigan Interchange.
• FlatironDragadoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Component partner of Bridging North America (BNA), bringing significant experience in major infrastructure projects including Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway in Windsor, Ontario and other North American projects.
• FluorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Component partner of Bridging North America (BNA), contributing to the design, construction, financing, and operations of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project.
• AeconcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Component partner of Bridging North America (BNA), bringing local expertise and proven track record in Canadian infrastructure projects.
• State of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Michigan is responsible for operating and maintaining the Michigan Interchange upon completion. The project was negotiated under Michigan's then-Governor Rick Snyder in 2012, with Michigan providing oversight of the interstate connection portion.
• Government of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder of the C$6.4 billion project. The Canadian government, through the Crossing Agreement, funds the majority of the project costs and maintains ownership stakes through Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority.
• VollmerminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCanadian level 1 subcontractor responsible for building work at the Canadian Port of Entry.
• Sterling RidgeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCanadian level 1 subcontractor responsible for earthwork and concrete work at the Canadian Port of Entry.
• AmicominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCanadian level 1 subcontractor responsible for civil construction work at the Canadian Port of Entry.
• CYMIminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCanadian level 1 subcontractor responsible for electrical work at the Canadian Port of Entry.
• CGIminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCanadian level 1 subcontractor responsible for building facade installation at the Canadian Port of Entry.
• WalbridgeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUS level 1 subcontractor responsible for building work at the US Port of Entry.
• IafrateminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUS level 1 subcontractor responsible for concrete work at the US Port of Entry.
• Blaze ContractingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUS level 1 subcontractor responsible for earthwork at the US Port of Entry.
• Shaw ElectricminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUS level 1 subcontractor responsible for dry utility services at the US Port of Entry.
• Motor City ElectricminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUS level 1 subcontractor responsible for various electrical work at the US Port of Entry.
• HoneywellminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUS level 1 subcontractor responsible for security systems at the US Port of Entry.
• Southwest Detroit Business AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDBA partners with the Community Benefits Plan to deliver the Bridge to Prosperity business development program, providing technical assistance and business planning services to existing and start-up businesses in Southwest Detroit in anticipation of increased demand for products and services during construction and operation.
• Local Community GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 2019, the Local Community Group works with WDBA and BNA as informal partners on implementation of the Community Benefits Plan. Group includes 16 members representing communities of Detroit/Delray, Windsor/Sandwich, Windsor-Essex County and the Greater Detroit Area.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ambassador Bridge: Privately owned international suspension bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario across the Detroit River. It is the most direct competitor, serving the exact same Windsor-Detroit corridor with overlapping passenger and commercial truck traffic.
• Detroit-Windsor Tunnel: Subaqueous vehicular tunnel between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario operated by a Detroit-Windsor Tunnel LLC. A direct competitor in the same corridor handling passenger and commercial crossings, sharing demand-pool overlap with the Gordie Howe Bridge.
• Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (Peace Bridge): Operator of the Peace Bridge connecting Buffalo, New York and Fort Erie, Ontario. Comparable as a US-Canada international crossing with tolled passenger and commercial truck traffic, similar cross-border regulatory environment, and analog public-authority operating model.
• Blue Water Bridge: Twin-span international bridge connecting Port Huron, Michigan and Point Edward, Ontario, operated jointly by MDOT and the Federal Bridge Corporation. Highly comparable in geographic and regulatory context (Michigan-Ontario, dual spans, commercial truck traffic).
• Niagara Falls Bridge Commission: Operates three US-Canada bridge crossings in the Niagara region (Rainbow, Whirlpool Rapids, and Lewiston-Queenston). Comparable as a bi-national public authority running multiple tolled international crossings for passenger and commercial traffic.
• Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge Authority: Operates the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge between Michigan and Ontario. Comparable in operating model (bi-national toll bridge authority) and direct relevance to Michigan-Canada commercial freight flows serving the Great Lakes region.
• Thousand Islands Bridge Authority: Operates the Thousand Islands Bridge system between Collins Landing, New York and Ivy Lea, Ontario. Comparable as a small-scale bi-national toll bridge authority serving cross-border passenger and commercial traffic on the US-Canada border.

Broad incumbents

• Port Authority of New York and New Jersey: Major bi-state public authority operating several tolled bridge and tunnel crossings (George Washington, Bayonne, Goethals, Outerbridge, Lincoln and Holland Tunnels). Comparable as a multi-asset toll infrastructure operator, though at much larger scale and focused on the US Northeast.
• Maryland Transportation Authority: State agency that operates Maryland's toll facilities, including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Fort McHenry Tunnel, and Baltimore Harbor Tunnel. Comparable as a public toll authority operating bridge and tunnel infrastructure with electronic toll collection systems.
• Delaware River Port Authority: Bi-state authority operating four tolled bridges between New Jersey and Pennsylvania (including the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman). Comparable as a multi-bridge public toll authority using electronic tolling systems for passenger and commercial traffic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GordieHoweBrg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWDBA
• Facebookfacebook.com/GordieHoweBridge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wdba-apwd
• Instagraminstagram.com/gordiehowebridge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gordie Howe