Most Americans have no idea that Detroit's southern boundary is the Canadian border. Downtown Detroit USA and Downtown Windsor CANADA stand face-to-face along opposite sides of the 2000-ft-wide Detroit River with the international border running right down the middle. The two cities share a lot of history. Especially as the region is a global auto industry hub that sprawls deep into both Michigan and Ontario.
Canada is the United States' largest trading partner. 25% of all physical trade between the two nations is exchanged at Detroit's border crossings. These include a rail tunnel and a motor vehicle tunnel. Both of which carry traffic under the Detroit River. The Ambassador Bridge carries all of the heavy commercial traffic (10,000 big rigs every day) over the river. And the Blue Water Bridge in nearby Port Huron, Michigan links that city to Sarnia, Ontario Canada on the other side of the St. Clair River.
A new, state of the art bridge, "The Gordie Howe", is under construction now. Once completed in 2024 it will provide a new link between Detroit and Windsor. Most existing truck traffic will shift to the new bridge as it will have world-class customs and inspection facilities on both sides of the river and direct freeway access to Canada's E.C. Row Expressway and Detroit's I-75, I-94 and I-96 freeways.
14 окт 2024
