An epic multi-billion-pound project is set to connect two major countries, and is scheduled to open this year. Construction on The Gordie Howe International Bridge began in 2018, promising a new direct route between the state of Detroit, Michigan to Windsor in Ontario, .

The project is managed by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) with American multinational infrastructure consulting firm AECOM leading the design. The six-lane bridge, which is currently under construction, spans the Detroit River and is currently estimated to cost $6.4billion (around £4.8bn).

It's primarily funded by the federal government, and will eventually be paid for via crossing tolls which authorities expect to bring in more than $70 million (£52.5m) annually, as per .

These will be paid for by those crossing from Canada, but not Michigan.

The bridge is located west of Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, both of which connect already connect the two cities, as per

But according to Canada's public broadcaster, the Gordie Howe bridge will mean less traffic being diverted into Windsor's more populated areas as it bypasses downtown.

It stretches some 1.55 miles (2.5km), is suspended 48 metres above the water, making for a striking spectacle.

The project is

The bridge had been set to launch in November, but the opening was pushed back by the project team, which cited delays related to the Covid pandemic as the main reason.

The team have previously set the goal of opening in September this year, though an official date hasn't been given yet.

The bridge has been designed to have room for future expansion to eight lanes, and will have a pedestrian trail and cycle path.

Once completed it will be North America's longest cable-stayed bridge, as well as the tenth longest in the world, according to the project's website.