President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday referenced construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge as a means of building a stronger connection between the U.S. and Canada.
The leaders issued a joint statement after their first official meeting in Washington, D.C., indicating the two aim to create economic opportunities and jobs through infrastructure investments.
"Given our shared focus on infrastructure investments, we will encourage opportunities for companies in both countries to create jobs through those investments," Trump and Trudeau said in the joint statement. "In particular, we look forward to the expeditious completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will serve as a vital economic link between our two countries."
Trump said nurturing a strong trade relationship with Canada along with safe and responsible cross-border travel will bring prosperity.
The planned Detroit-Windsor bridge was listed last month among Trump's top 50 infrastructure projects.
In November 2016, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority released a Request for Proposals to begin construction of the 1.5-mile, six-lane Gordie Howe International Bridge across the Detroit River.
Canada plans to cover the cost of building the $2.1 billion bridge, plus a $250 million customs plaza on the U.S. side. Michigan's share of the cost is to be repaid in the form of toll collections. The bridge is expected to be open to traffic by 2020.
