Windsor Mayor Demands Tolls on Ambassador Bridge Truck Traffic as Gordie Howe Bridge Opening Stalls
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is urging the provincial government to grant the city authority to implement tolls on commercial truck traffic utilizing Huron Church Road, a critical artery leading to and from the Ambassador Bridge. This request is contingent upon the continued closure of the publicly funded Gordie Howe International Bridge, which has faced unexpected delays.
"Enough is Enough": Mayor's Firm Stance on Municipal Costs
In a recent statement, Mayor Dilkens expressed frustration, declaring, "We're at the point where we're saying enough is enough." He emphasized that if the Gordie Howe bridge opening is postponed, the city must secure financial compensation to alleviate the burden on local taxpayers. Dilkens aims to ensure municipal coffers are replenished and residents are not left covering atypical expenses incurred from heavy truck traffic.
Proposed Toll Implementation and Legal Hurdles
The proposed plan involves charging municipal tolls on trucks traveling to and from the Ambassador Bridge via Huron Church Road, effective May 1, and continuing until the Gordie Howe bridge becomes operational. However, this initiative requires an exemption from Section 40 of the Municipal Act, which prohibits municipalities from imposing tolls on highways, bridges, or tunnels without provincial approval. Dilkens highlighted this need in a social media video posted ahead of a scheduled visit by Premier Doug Ford to Windsor.
Political and Economic Context Behind the Delay
The toll demand follows a controversial threat from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who in February 2026 vowed to block the opening of the $6.4-billion Gordie Howe bridge—entirely funded by Canadian taxpayers—until the U.S. receives full compensation. Reports from The New York Times linked this threat to a meeting between billionaire Ambassador Bridge owner Matthew Moroun and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, with Moroun having donated $1 million to a Trump-supporting super PAC earlier that year.
Dilkens criticized the situation as "another chapter in the saga" of bridge construction delays, noting the interconnected political maneuvers affecting the project. The Ambassador Bridge, privately owned, has long monopolized tolls at North America's busiest border crossing, with approximately 10,000 trucks traversing Huron Church Road daily.
Impact on Windsor Infrastructure and Taxpayers
Each day the Gordie Howe bridge remains closed exacerbates damage and congestion on Huron Church Road, costing Windsor millions annually in maintenance. Dilkens stressed that these ongoing expenses are unsustainable for the municipality, driving his push for tolls to offset costs and protect taxpayer interests during the bridge delay.
