The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) updated its online border-wait dashboard early on 19 September, reminding travellers that lane closures tied to plaza reconstruction at the Windsor–Detroit Tunnel will continue until the end of the day. Although wait times were under ten minutes for most of the morning, officials say back-ups can build quickly during peak commercial crossings. Business travellers shuttling between Ontario’s automotive corridor and U.S. suppliers should consider rerouting via the Ambassador Bridge or the new Gordie Howe International Bridge, both of which reported ‘no delay’ at 06:30 EDT. Carriers moving time-sensitive goods must still file electronic manifests in advance; construction does not waive Advanced Commercial Information (ACI) penalties. The tunnel project is part of a C$25 million infrastructure upgrade that will add modern secondary-inspection bays and digitised licence-plate readers by 2027. While the investment will eventually speed throughput, near-term disruptions underscore the need for robust contingency planning—particularly for just-in-time manufacturing operations that rely on predictable cross-border flows. Travellers can monitor real-time conditions via the CBSA’s Border Wait Times portal or third-party apps. The agency recommends printing proof of essential-business travel in case officers divert traffic into commercial lanes during heavy congestion.
Source: Canada Border Services Agency
