The Gordie Howe International Bridge is open to traffic, marking the completion of a landmark infrastructure project that Zausmer helped advance through more than a decade of legal work.
After more than two decades of planning and development, the Gordie Howe International Bridge officially opened to traffic on July 27, 2026, creating a new international crossing between Detroit and Windsor. The bridge will strengthen cross-border trade, improve regional transportation, and connect communities on both sides of the Detroit River.
Zausmer is proud to have played a role in bringing this landmark infrastructure project to completion. For more than a decade, our firm served as part of Michigan’s land acquisition team for the project, which required the acquisition of more than 600 parcels spanning more than 160 acres in southwest Detroit. Drawing on decades of experience in eminent domain law, Zausmer successfully defended the project against numerous necessity and constitutional challenges brought by property owners in the Wayne County Circuit Court, the Michigan Court of Claims, and Michigan appellate courts.
The firm also represented the State of Michigan in litigation arising from challenges brought by companies owned by the Moroun family, owners of the competing Ambassador Bridge. Led by Managing Shareholder Mark Zausmer, Executive Shareholder Mischa Boardman, and Shareholder Devin Sullivan, the team prevailed at every stage of litigation. The final legal challenge concluded in 2021 when the Michigan Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal, clearing the way for construction to continue.
The opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge marks the culmination of years of planning, engineering, construction, and legal work by thousands of people on both sides of the border. We are honored that our attorneys had the opportunity to help advance a project that will serve Michigan, Ontario, and the broader North American economy for generations to come.
Zausmer
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