Since September 18, 2025, the Windsor-Detroit skyline took on a refined nighttime identity as testing of the Gordie Howe International Bridge’s aesthetic lighting system got underway.
This marks one of the most visible steps in the project’s broader testing and commissioning process that ensures each component of the new border infrastructure performs as designed before opening day.
While the new glow has captured attention, what’s happening behind the scenes is a carefully sequenced testing program of inspection, calibration and performance verification.
Lighting the Way
More than 6,000 programmable, energy-efficient white LED fixtures have been installed across the bridge towers, stay cables, back span, piers, approach span and bridge deck.
During the testing phase, the lights are illuminated at full brightness allowing the project team to:
- confirm the performance of each bulb
- identify outages
- calibrate sequencing and dimming controls
- assess resilience under changing weather and operating conditions.
Following these initial checks, the focus will shift towards fine-tuning where the team will test dimming function, brightness level and light sequences. Each step plays an important role in the larger commissioning process, ensuring the lighting system operates safely and efficiently.
Design that Reflects the Bridge’s Elegance
A striking addition to the Windsor-Detroit skyline, the bridge’s lighting design complements its ‘contemporary minimalist’ architecture which is centered around simplicity, clean lines and timeless form.
White LED fixtures accentuate the bridge’s defining features including the 220 metres/722 feet towers, the 853 metres /0.53 miles main span, and the 216 stay cables.
Each light is programmable through a sophisticated control system that gives the bridge a dynamic nighttime presence.
Innovation Built to Last
The ongoing testing of the aesthetic lighting system is about more than creating a visual masterpiece, it’s about confirming the performance and durability of every component.
As testing and commissioning continue, the Gordie Howe International Bridge is lighting up the skyline through innovation and with precision.
