It’s going to cost $8 for passenger vehicles to cross the Gordie Howe bridge when it opens

This is how a great deal it'll be to use up the young Gordie Howe International Bridge when it opens

We now know how much it’s going to cost to cross the Gordie Howe International Bridge when it opens.

Bridge officials say the standard passenger vehicle toll will be $8 ($5.75 US) to cross and $12 ($8.75) per axle for commercial trucks, oversized vehicles and larger passenger vehicles.

“Breakaway,” the bridge's vehicle tag program, will offer drivers discounted rates, and will allow motorists to drive to any open toll lane.

Breakaway members receive a 25 per cent discount, the authority says. That means it will cost $6 for passenger vehicles and $9.60 per axle.

The span will be “opening this spring,” the bridge company said in a statement on Wednesday. It will provide a highway-to-highway connection between Ontario’s Highway 401 and Michigan’s Interstate-75 — with six traffic lanes, 16 toll lanes and 60 Canada and U.S. Inspection lanes.

“Just as crews are fine-tuning every detail of the project, we’re ensuring a smooth start for all travellers and delivering on our commitment of a modern and efficient border crossing,” said David Henderson, Bridging North America’s chief executive officer. 

The Ambassador Bridge costs $14, or $10 US, to cross for autos, buses and motorcycles. A representative from the Ambassador Bridge did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Dariuss Piatkoeski, a Windsor resident, says the newly announced rates are "reasonable."

"Personally for me, the new bridge is a winner," he said, adding that he plans to use the Gordie Howe whenever it opens.

Another resident, Louis Elachkar, welcomes the announcement, saying the rates are "great" and he "can't wait 'til it opens up" to use it.

Buerhan Maierdan, president of Etlas Freight, said over the almost 20 years he's been in business, he's had no choice but to use the Ambassador Bridge, the cost of which he said is "high."

He said it costs approximately $100 US one way per 18-wheeler truck transporting produce from Canada to the U.S. And from the U.S. To Canada.

Maierdan said he would not be surprised if the Ambassador Bridge decides to lower rates in wake of the cheaper ones announced by the Gordie Howe.

"I hope this new bridge opens up soon that helps everybody, not only the trucking industry, but consumers as well," said Maierdan.

"Windsor is a very essential, very critical corridor for trade between Canada and the United States, so we need [this] bridge."

Tal Czudner, CEO of the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel said the announced rates represent "a great thing for our community," and called them "very reasonable," and represents another option for people to go back and forth easily. 

Czudner says two of the border crossing options are Canadian, and notes the tunnel is still the cheapest choice if passengers use a Nexpress vehicle tag — $5.90.

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