An epic multi-billion-pound infrastructure project is set to connect two major countries, and is scheduled to open this year. Construction on The Gordie Howe International Bridge began in 2018, promising a new direct route between the US state of Detroit, Michigan to Windsor in Ontario, Canada.

The project is managed by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) with American multinational infrastructure consulting firm AECOM leading the design. The six-lane bridge, which is currently under construction, spans the Detroit River and is currently estimated to cost $6.4billion (around £4.8bn).

It’s primarily funded by the Canadian federal government, and will eventually be paid for via crossing tolls which authorities expect to bring in more than $70 million (£52.5m) annually, as per Newsweek.

These will be paid for by those crossing from Canada, but not Michigan.

The bridge is located west of Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, both of which connect already connect the two cities, as per the CBC.

But according to Canada’s public broadcaster, the Gordie Howe bridge will mean less traffic being diverted into Windsor’s more populated areas as it bypasses downtown.

It stretches some 1.55 miles (2.5km), is suspended 48 metres above the water, making for a striking spectacle.