The ACS Group companies ACS Infrastructure (IRIDIUM) and FlatironDragados, today celebrated the official opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America. Spanning the Detroit River between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario.
The project was delivered by the Bridging North America (BNA) consortium — comprised of ACS Infrastructure, Fluor, and Aecon — under a $6.4 billion design-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM) agreement with Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA). FlatironDragados served as lead contractor, working alongside consortium partners to execute physical delivery. After eight years of construction, the crossing opens Monday, July 27, as a permanent new gateway between two nations.
Designed to provide modern capacity and long-overdue redundancy along one of North America's most critical trade corridors, the bridge strengthens the movement of people and goods that keep the Canadian and U.S. economies connected.
As equity members of the BNA consortium, ACS Infrastructure, Fluor, and Aecon collectively led project development and financing and continue to play a key role in the long-term operation and management of the asset through the concession term. WDBA, a Canadian Crown corporation, serves as contracting authority.
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge demonstrates what can be achieved when scale, capability and long-term investment come together with clear purpose,” said Juan Santamaría, CEO, ACS Group. “This is infrastructure that strengthens trade, improves resilience and delivers lasting value for two nations. At ACS Group, we focus on building assets that strengthen economies and stand the test of time. This project reflects that commitment.”
“Few projects reshape a region like this one will,” said Steve DeWitt, CEO, ACS Infrastructure. “The Gordie Howe International Bridge is both an engineering achievement and a long-term investment in the economic future of two nations. We are proud to have partnered with WDBA, Aecon, and Fluor to deliver a crossing that will serve millions and strengthen North American commerce for decades to come.”
“The Gordie Howe International Bridge stands among the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever delivered in North America,” said Javier Sevilla, CEO of FlatironDragados. “Constructing the longest cable-stayed bridge on the continent required exceptional engineering, innovation, and coordination across thousands of workers, multiple jurisdictions, and world-class partners. This achievement reflects what is possible when teams come together to deliver infrastructure at a truly historic scale.”
“FlatironDragados is honored to celebrate the opening of this transformative project,” said Mirsad Hairlahovic, President, FD -- Canada. “Success was driven by the expertise and dedication of our teams, the power of collaboration, and our commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure that connects two nations.”
“We are proud to have helped bring to life a bridge that will create lasting connections between Canada and the United States,” said Jose Luis Mendez, Executive Vice President of FlatironDragados. “Beyond the engineering and construction achievement, this project represents a long-term investment in mobility, opportunity and shared prosperity.”
The Project: Eight Years, Two Nations, One Corridor
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a 2.5-kilometre (1.5-mile), six-lane cable-stayed crossing spanning the Detroit River, with a clear main span of 0.75 kilometres (0.5 miles) — an engineering achievement unmatched anywhere on the continent.
The scope delivered by BNA includes the bridge, the Canadian and U.S. Ports of Entry, and the Michigan Interchange, including the I-75 connection, two road bridges, five pedestrian bridges, and associated roadway improvements. On the Canadian side, the port of entry ties directly into the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway — another ACS-developed and operated project — creating a seamless transportation corridor across the international boundary.
Under the DBFOM agreement, BNA will operate and maintain the bridge and Ports of Entry for 30 years, ensuring long-term accountability and performance. The Gordie Howe International Bridge provides critical new capacity and redundancy, strengthening the resilience of cross-border supply chains and regional economic connectivity.
The project’s impact extends well beyond the crossing itself. Construction supported thousands of jobs across Michigan and Ontario, drawing on local workforce talent, suppliers, and resources from each country as the two sides advanced simultaneously toward the center span.
The project has received multiple industry recognitions for innovation, project finance, and sustainability, including IJGlobal's North America Roads Deal of the Year and the Envision Platinum Award for sustainable infrastructure.