Traffic is now flowing across the Gordie Howe International Bridge, Canada’s newest land port of entry and the first new crossing on the Windsor–Detroit corridor in almost a century. The bridge officially opened to commercial and passenger vehicles at 00:01 EDT on July 27, giving carriers and travellers a long-awaited alternative to the congested Ambassador Bridge and the Windsor–Detroit Tunnel. The binational project—jointly owned by the Government of Canada and the State of Michigan—features 24-hour customs plazas on both sides of the border, FAST lanes for pre-approved commercial drivers, NEXUS lanes for trusted travellers and a dedicated multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists that will open on August 5. Tolls have been set at CAD 8 for passenger vehicles and CAD 12 for heavy trucks, with contactless payment options designed to minimise wait times. For corporate mobility managers, the bridge promises more predictable transit times for just-in-time supply chains linking Ontario’s auto plants with U.S. suppliers. Canadian employees who commute to U.S. client sites—or vice-versa—will benefit from an additional inspection facility that can absorb peak-hour volumes and planned maintenance closures at the existing crossings. Because the new port of entry counts as a distinct location under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, foreign workers and business visitors entering Canada should verify that their work-permit exemption or labour-market impact assessment (LMIA) letter is valid for Windsor POE #872 before travelling. Companies enrolled in the CBSA’s Trusted Trader or CARM programmes may also need to update carrier codes and surety bonds to include the new crossing. Advanced planning in travel policies and employee briefings will help avoid first-week bottlenecks as officers and travellers adjust to new procedures.
Source: CIC News
