Safety by Design: Means Restriction Fencing on the Gordie Howe International Bridge

The edges of the Gordie Howe International Bridge now boast a new feature that blends design with a commitment to safety.

Crews have completed the installation of nearly 34,000 custom stainless steel fence posts lining both sides of the 2.5-kilometre/1.5-mile span. The specialized means restriction fencing features slender posts that arch toward the roadway and multi-use path to serve as a vital deterrent and life-saving barrier.

Standing 2.9 metres/9.5 feet tall, each post is mounted to a base plate anchored to a raised curb. A 0.15-metre/0.5-foot gap between posts preserves clear sight lines. The top of the post has a 0.5-metre/1.6-foot curve angled inward to enhance safety ensuring it is unclimbable and limits access to the Detroit River while maintaining sight lines.

The curve of the post has the same profile as a blade on a hockey stick, which is appropriate considering the bridge is named after Gordie Howe, the legendary Canadian hockey icon who played 25 seasons for the Detroit Red Wings and led them to four Stanley Cup championships. 

Developed through close collaboration among engineers, designers and fabricators, the fencing is constructed of structural steel and meets rigorous safety requirements.

Purposefully unimposing, fencing on the Gordie Howe International Bridge is intentionally designed to minimize visual obstruction. Its slim profile and consistent spacing allow light to pass through, maintaining stunning views of the Windsor–Detroit skyline, the riverfront and vessel traffic.

Beyond its visual impact, the fencing plays a critical role in overall bridge safety. For vehicles, it functions as part of the protective system supporting a secure crossing between Canada and the United States. Along the multi-use path, the fencing provides an unclimbable physical barrier to the river below that prevents bridge suicides. There are additional safety measures such as emergency call stations, lighting, security cameras and crisis and public safety signage. There is also a handrail along the fencing on the multi-use path and a 1.2-metre/4-foot concrete barrier that separates cyclists and pedestrians from vehicular traffic.

Future users of the Gordie Howe International Bridge multi-use path will experience a safe crossing that reflects purposeful design and engineering excellence, while enjoying remarkable views of the Windsor-Detroit region.