The Canada Border Services Agency’s live tracker, updated the morning of September 25, shows fluctuating wait times at the Ambassador Bridge and the new Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor. Commercial traffic faced delays of up to 25 minutes at Ambassador just before noon ET, while passenger vehicles moving into Canada on the Gordie Howe span waited about 10 minutes. Although many smaller ports reported “no delay,” the metrics highlight ongoing capacity constraints linked to two simultaneous projects: plaza redevelopment at the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel (through mid-October) and final systems testing on the Gordie Howe Bridge ahead of its first full winter. The situation underscores the fragility of trade corridors that move more than $100 billion in goods annually. For businesses running just-in-time supply chains, even short, unpredictable backups can translate into missed production windows. Logistics managers are advising drivers to obtain Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) FAST cards where eligible and to monitor the CBSA’s API or third-party apps in real time. Companies with expat technicians shuttling between Midwest plants and Ontario facilities should consider scheduling early-morning crossings, which the tracker shows as consistently under five minutes. Long-term, both U.S. CBP and CBSA have signalled interest in expanding the binational Advance Enrollment System pilot—currently limited to NEXUS card renewals—to include verified commercial drivers, which could mitigate similar disruptions once construction concludes.
