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Windsor Morning8:11A significant international crossing for this 6-year-old
For Lucas Legare, the Gordie Howe International Bridge has been a lifelong project. It was also his dream to see it finally open and drive across with his family.
And on Monday, his wish came true when his mom took him over the new span.
The six-year-old lives in Amherstburg, Ont. He’s been visiting the bridge in its various stages on a weekly basis since he was a toddler. He would do so when visiting his grandparents who live in nearby Windsor.
Lucas Legare and his grandfather Jeff Marshall in May 2023, as construction continued on the Gordie Howe bridge. (Submitted by Brittany Legare)
Then, last month, he thought it was going to open — but politics got in the way.
“Open the bridge!” he shouted when asked last month what he’d say to the people behind its opening.
Lucas previously told CBC News his favourite part of watching the construction process were the elevators that moved up and down to help build the towers, along with the moment when the Canadian side and the U.S. side finally joined.
WATCH | Young Gordie Howe fan crosses span for 1st time:
Young Gordie Howe bridge fan crosses span for 1st time | The Moment
Six-year-old Lucas Legare and his family tell The National about the moment he crossed the Gordie Howe International Bridge for the first time after making weekly visits to track the construction progress for four years.
Now that it has opened and he has crossed, what was his take?
“Cool,” he told CBC Radio’s Windsor Morning host Amy Dodge.
“We saw so much cables on it when we’re driving — and the lights were attached to the bottom of the cables.”
Legare was captured by his mom on video as he went over the Detroit River on Monday via the new span.
“We got this all to ourselves now. On the bridge it looks even larger,” he said.
Lucas Legare and his mom, Brittany, came to CBC Windsor on July 28, 2026 to talk about their experience driving across the Gordie Howe bridge on Monday when it opened to traffic. (Pratyush Dayal/CBC)
His mom, Brittany, says anticipation was high before they went over.
“The excitement [was] building as we were getting off the E.C. Row and coming right on to the approach,” she said.
“We were both saying, ‘Oh, my gosh, I can’t believe we’re finally here. It’s finally the day.’ There’s so much to look at … and to take that all in.”
WATCH | CBC initially connected with the young Gordie Howe bridge enthusiast in June:
This 6-year-old has watched the Gordie Howe bridge being built for most of his life
Lucas Legare is a fan of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, watching its construction progress week by week for years. The CBC’s Jennifer La Grassa caught up with Lucas and his family about what he loves about the bridge.
Brittany says the size of the bridge was her biggest takeaway.
“We’ve all seen the Ambassador Bridge and we know it’s big. But driving over Gordie Howe, like there aren’t words to describe just how big it is … you felt dwarfed. It’s enormous. You don’t feel like you’re on a bridge because it’s that big. It’s like an overpass, you know?”
Brittany described Lucas’ reaction to crossing as “wonder and magic.”
“He’s so inquisitive when he talks about it — and seeing him … understand what’s happening. Now that it’s finally here, it’s the part of history … it’s exciting to be able to share that as a family and something that we’ll have forever.”
Gordie’s design
The main architect of the Gordie Howe International Bridge says it’s “mesmerizing” to see it finally open.
Erik Behrens from Germany works with the firm AECOM. He called the opening a unique, historic milestone.
“Right from the beginning, we wanted to do something more than a bridge,” he told CBC News.
“We wanted to really create a structure that is beautiful … timeless … free of clutter, and it’s elegant in itself. I think what we created is an engineering marvel. I think we created almost an artwork … it’s a sculpture on a … civic scale. I think everyone who’s going to drive over the bridge will experience that.”
A good portion of the Gordie’s design is on display in this evening photo. It was snapped on the day the span opened to traffic on July 27, 2026. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)
Behrens says the design is “very dynamic” to articulate its sweeping curves creating a kind of anticipation on the drive up — calling it “almost cinematic.”
“You’re driving then there’s the first kind of tower, which is almost like a majestic portal before you actually [start] to drive over the river. And at the midpoint the cables open up and you get beautiful views through Detroit or the landscape before you’re basically driving down the descent.”
Lucas’ real goal has been to ride his bike over the crossing. And he might get that chance next week when his bridge buddies, his grandparents, return home, and the Gordie opens up to pedestrians and cyclists Aug. 5.
Most of a freighter is hidden by the Gordie Howe bridge as it makes its way along the Detroit River on July 27, 2026. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)