The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has updated its border-wait-time portal, flagging ongoing construction that will affect travellers and commercial vehicles at two of the country’s busiest crossings. The Windsor–Detroit Tunnel will experience periodic lane reductions until 19 September, while major redevelopment work at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle (Highway 15) is set to continue into winter 2027. The advisory, posted on 26 September, accompanies real-time wait-time data for 30 land ports of entry. Although most ports reported “no delay” at the time of publication, CBSA cautions that construction can cause sudden spikes, especially during weekend leisure travel and end-of-month freight surges. On 26 September the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie showed 25-minute commercial queues, while the Ambassador Bridge registered 15-minute delays for both passenger cars and trucks. For corporate travel managers the notice highlights the need to build flexibility into itineraries involving cross-border client meetings or just-in-time deliveries. Contingency options include routing shipments through the Gordie Howe International Bridge—now offering consistent sub-15-minute waits—or scheduling departures outside peak hours. Travellers enrolled in Nexus or Free and Secure Trade (FAST) programmes should verify that dedicated lanes remain open during construction periods. The update also underscores CBSA’s push toward digital self-service. The agency encourages drivers to refresh the portal before departure and to follow its Twitter feeds for traffic alerts. Companies moving high-value or time-sensitive goods may consider the Agency’s Advance Commercial Information (ACI) portal to pre-submit manifests and reduce secondary inspections. With North American supply chains still vulnerable to labour-action threats and climatological disruptions, border-infrastructure projects aim to enhance long-term capacity but inevitably create short-term friction. Mobility stakeholders should monitor CBSA advisories closely over the next 18 months as both projects advance to critical phases.
Source: Canada Border Services Agency
