Most people assume that when they drive across a massive international border, they’re on government property. It makes sense, right? Customs, border agents, and national security usually imply "public." But if you’re crossing between Detroit and Windsor, you’re actually driving on a private driveway owned by a single family.
For decades, the owner of Ambassador Bridge has been a name that sparks both awe and absolute fury in the world of international trade. We’re talking about the Moroun family. Specifically, the late Manuel "Matty" Moroun and now his son, Matthew Moroun. They own the most important piece of infrastructure in North America. No big deal, just the bridge that carries roughly 25% of all trade between the U.S. and Canada.
Honestly, it’s a setup that sounds like something out of a Gilded Age novel. A billionaire family owning a choke point for the global auto industry? It’s real. And as we head into 2026, the drama surrounding this ownership is reaching a fever pitch because, for the first time in nearly a century, they have real competition coming for their bottom line.
How One Man Bought a Bridge
You might wonder how someone even gets the chance to buy an international bridge. You can't exactly find one on Zillow.
The story starts in 1979. Before that, the bridge was actually a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. Imagine that: buying shares of a bridge like you’d buy shares of Apple or Ford. Matty Moroun, a Detroit-native who built a fortune in the trucking business through his company Central Transport, started quietly snapping up shares.
He wasn't the only one interested. Even Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway had a 25% stake at one point. But Moroun was more persistent. He eventually bought out Buffett and the other shareholders, taking the Detroit International Bridge Company private.
By the time the dust settled, he owned the whole thing. The American side, the Canadian side—the works.
A Monopoly in Plain Sight
For a long time, if you were a trucker hauling car parts from Ontario to Michigan, you basically had to use the Ambassador Bridge. The nearby Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is too narrow and low for big rigs. This gave the Moroun family an incredible amount of leverage.
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They set the tolls. They managed the maintenance. They basically held the keys to the kingdom.
The Battle of the Spans
If you’ve lived in Detroit or Windsor anytime in the last twenty years, you’ve heard about "The Bridge War." It’s basically been a decades-long legal and political slugfest.
The Morouns wanted to build a second span—a "Twin Span"—right next to the original Ambassador Bridge. They argued it was the most efficient way to handle more traffic. But the Canadian government and the State of Michigan had other ideas. They didn't want a private monopoly to control such a vital economic artery forever.
Instead, they proposed the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Matty Moroun fought this tooth and nail. He spent millions on TV ads, lobbied politicians, and filed dozens of lawsuits. At one point in 2012, things got so intense that the 84-year-old Matty was actually jailed for contempt of court over a dispute involving the "Gateway Project" ramps leading to the bridge.
He stayed in a cell for two days. It didn't slow him down.
Matthew Moroun and the New Era
When Matty passed away in 2020 at the age of 93, the mantle of the owner of Ambassador Bridge passed to his son, Matthew Moroun.
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Matthew has a slightly different vibe than his father. While Matty was famously reclusive and combative, Matthew has tried to soften the family’s image a bit. He was the one who finally sold the decaying Michigan Central Station to Ford, a move that many saw as a peace offering to the city of Detroit.
But don't get it twisted—he’s still a businessman. The family empire, through holding companies like CenTra Inc. and Universal Logistics Holdings, remains a dominant force. Matthew still oversees the Detroit International Bridge Company (the U.S. side) and the Canadian Transit Company (the Canadian side).
What’s Happening Right Now in 2026?
The biggest threat to the Moroun family’s dominance is literally rising out of the water a few miles downriver. As of early 2026, the Gordie Howe International Bridge is finally nearing its grand opening.
This is a massive, publicly owned bridge paid for by Canada. For the first time since 1929, the Ambassador Bridge will have a direct competitor for heavy truck traffic.
- Toll Wars: Experts expect a price war. To keep trucks from switching to the newer, shinier Gordie Howe, the Morouns might have to get aggressive with their pricing.
- Maintenance: The Ambassador Bridge is nearly 100 years old. Keeping it safe and functional is getting more expensive every year.
- The Twin Span Dream: It’s not dead yet. The Morouns still have permits to build their second span, though the conditions attached by the Canadian government are notoriously strict.
The Reality of Private Ownership
People often ask: "Is it legal for a family to own an international border?"
The answer is a weird "yes." Because the bridge was chartered back in the 1920s before modern regulations were fully in place, the ownership rights are incredibly robust. The Morouns have successfully argued in court that their right to operate the bridge is a protected property right.
However, being the owner of Ambassador Bridge comes with massive headaches. You aren't just managing a road; you're dealing with:
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- Homeland Security and CBSA: Coordination with two national governments on security.
- Environmental Groups: Constant scrutiny over diesel emissions in the "Sandwich" neighborhood of Windsor and Southwest Detroit.
- Infrastructure Fatigue: Dealing with the literal "nuts and bolts" of a bridge that was built before the Great Depression.
What This Means for Your Next Crossing
If you're planning to cross the border, you likely won't notice the family drama. You’ll just see the toll booth. But keep in mind that your toll dollars aren't going into a state fund—they're going into a private business.
Here’s the actionable reality for 2026:
Check the tolls before you go. With the Gordie Howe opening soon, there will likely be different "loyalty" programs or digital tolling apps launched by the Detroit International Bridge Company to keep regular commuters from switching.
Watch the traffic patterns. The Ambassador Bridge is still the most direct route for those wanting to land right in the heart of Detroit or Windsor. If you’re heading to the casinos or the stadiums, it’s still your best bet. If you’re a long-haul trucker heading for the I-75/401 corridor, the new public bridge might be faster once it’s fully operational.
Keep an eye on the "Twin Span" news. If the Morouns actually break ground on their second bridge, expect years of construction delays and road closures in Southwest Detroit.
The story of the bridge isn't just about steel and concrete. It’s about a family that managed to buy a piece of the map and hold onto it against the might of two world governments. Whether you think they’re visionary entrepreneurs or "bridge barons" holding trade hostage, you have to admit: they’ve played the long game better than almost anyone in American business history.
The next few years will decide if that legacy continues or if the opening of a public competitor finally breaks the Moroun monopoly for good. For now, the family remains firmly in the driver's seat.
Next Steps for Travellers and Logistics Pros:
- Compare Toll Rates: Visit the official Ambassador Bridge website to see current 2026 rates compared to the WDBA (Gordie Howe) rates.
- Download the App: Use the bridge's proprietary tolling app for faster "NEXUS" style lanes if you're a frequent crosser.
- Monitor the Opening Date: Stay tuned to local Detroit/Windsor news for the exact ribbon-cutting of the Gordie Howe Bridge, as this will immediately shift traffic volumes and wait times at the Ambassador.