Opening of long awaited US-Canada bridge delayed again

Opening of long awaited US-Canada bridge delayed again54 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMadeline HalpertGetty ImagesThe long-awaited opening of a new bridge connecting the US and Canada has been delayed yet again, according to the Canadian organisation in charge of construction.A ribbon-cutting ceremony had been scheduled for Friday to honour the new Gordie Howe International Bridge, named for the Canadian hockey legend who played for the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL."Canada and the United States have agreed to delay the opening of the bridge, taking the necessary time to resolve any outstanding issues," said Chuck Andary of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA).Canadian Prime Minster Mark Carney said earlier this week that the bridge might not open on time, but there was "no big drama". In a statement, Andary said the bridge would be a "vital economic link for Canada and the United States", and that the two sides were taking a "collaborative approach" to set an opening date. The organsation did not explain the latest delays - and when the ribbon-cutting ceremony or the actual opening would take place. Earlier this week, Carney said everyone was "working hard to make sure the bridge is open as soon as possible". "If it takes a little longer, it'll take a little longer," he said. Construction for the project - connecting the Canadian province of Ontario to the US state of Michigan - began in 2018, but has proven contentious for the countries for more than a decade.The bridge faced several delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as threats from US President Donald Trump to shut it down.In February, Trump demanded that Canada "share authority" and ownership of the bridge, which was built by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, a Canadian federal Crown corporation wholly owned by the government but operating at arm's length.Drew Dilkens, mayor of Windsor, the Canadi...