Gordie Howe Bridge Opens as Canada’s Most Advanced Border Crossing

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If you are planning to cross between Windsor and Detroit, or if you move commercial goods through southern Ontario, here is what you need to know about Canada's newest land border crossing. The Gordie Howe International Bridge port of entry opened in 2026 and fundamentally changes how travellers and traders use this corridor.

The bridge sits alongside two existing Windsor crossings: the Ambassador Bridge and the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel. Canada now has 118 land border ports of entry in total. This new facility is the largest of all of them, and it brings infrastructure that neither existing Windsor crossing can match.

This guide explains the port's physical setup, who it serves, what documents you need, and what rules apply when you arrive. Whether you are a first-time border crosser or a commercial driver, read this before you go.

Why the Windsor-Detroit Corridor Matters

The Windsor-Detroit crossing is not just busy. It is Canada's most important trade corridor by truck. Roughly 30% of all Canada-US trade that moves by truck passes through this single gateway. More than $274 million in goods crosses here every single day. No other land border corridor in Canada handles that volume.

That level of traffic creates real pressure. Trucks queue. Wait times climb. Delays cost money for businesses on both sides of the border. The Gordie Howe International Bridge was designed specifically to address this bottleneck. By adding a third crossing in the Windsor area, travellers and commercial carriers now have a genuine alternative route. That competition between three crossings should reduce average wait times across all of them.

The CBSA worked with several partner agencies to prepare this facility for opening. Those partners include the Windsor Detroit Bridge Authority, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Infrastructure Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and local stakeholders. That level of coordination matters because a port of entry is not just a Canadian facility. It has to operate smoothly on both sides of the international boundary.

The port operates around the clock, every day of the year. That 24/7 schedule matters for commercial carriers who cannot always choose when they travel. Night crossings are now a viable option at a facility with full capacity, not a reduced-service alternative.

Port of Entry Features and Infrastructure

The Gordie Howe port was built to handle both high commercial volume and individual travellers. Its lane configuration is flexible. The facility has 24 primary inspection lanes total. Those lanes can be configured to run up to 16 commercial lanes when truck volume is high, or shift to support up to 19 traveller lanes when passenger traffic peaks. That flexibility is a significant operational advantage over older crossings that have fixed layouts.

The commercial side of the port goes well beyond primary inspection. There are 12 commercial secondary examination docks and two fully enclosed commercial examination bays. Enclosed bays give officers a controlled environment to inspect loads regardless of weather, which matters in a Canadian winter. Four traveller secondary and tertiary garages handle passengers who need more thorough examination after their initial lane interaction.

Detection technology at the port includes a fixed large-scale imaging facility. This is a permanent, high-capacity scanner capable of imaging entire commercial vehicles without requiring them to be unloaded. The port also uses small-scale imaging devices, detector dogs, trace detection technology, density meters, and scopes. These tools help officers verify that goods are legitimate and stop contraband before it enters Canada.

Trusted travellers and traders get dedicated NEXUS and FAST lanes. If you already hold a NEXUS card, you can use these lanes to cross faster. FAST lanes serve pre-approved commercial importers under the Free and Secure Trade program. If you cross regularly for work or travel, enrolling in one of these programs is worth considering.

One feature that sets this crossing apart from other commercial ports is a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. Most land border crossings in Canada are vehicle-only. The Gordie Howe bridge adds active transportation access, which is a practical option for people crossing on foot or by bike between Windsor and Detroit.

Staffing and Operations

The CBSA has approximately 1,400 personnel allocated to ports of entry across the Southern Ontario Region. That count includes both border services officers and management. The Gordie Howe port draws from this regional workforce pool. Officers are typically assigned to a home port of entry, but during busy periods they can be redeployed to higher-volume locations. That flexibility helps the CBSA respond to surges in traffic without permanent overstaffing at every crossing.

A highly trained frontline workforce runs the day-to-day operation. Officers at this port work with the advanced detection technology described above. They also have the authority to ask questions, inspect vehicles, and direct travellers to secondary examination. Being polite, honest, and fully prepared speeds up every interaction.

✅ How to Prepare Before You Cross

Preparation is the single most effective way to reduce your wait time and avoid problems at the border. Officers can process prepared travellers in minutes. Unprepared travellers slow down everyone behind them and risk secondary examination for avoidable reasons.

Start with your documents. Every international traveller, regardless of age, must carry acceptable identification when entering Canada. A passport is the only document that is universally accepted and reliable at every crossing. Other documents may work in some situations, but a passport is always the safest choice. If you are travelling with children who are not yours or for whom you do not have legal custody, bring a signed consent letter from their parent or legal guardian. CBSA officers actively watch for missing children, and if you lack this letter, expect additional questions and possible delays.

Check wait times before you leave. The CBSA publishes live border wait time information you can use to plan your route. Early mornings are consistently the least congested times to cross. Holiday long weekends are the busiest periods of the year. If your schedule is flexible, avoid those windows or consider one of the other two Windsor crossings. Always check the hours of operation for any port of entry using the CBSA's Directory of Offices and Services before you drive to a crossing.

Commercial importers need to use the CBSA's Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system to declare commercial goods and pay applicable duties and taxes. Goods imported for sale, resale, lease, or business use are commercial goods. Declare them correctly and in advance.

If you are carrying CAN$10,000 or more in currency or monetary instruments, declare it. Bringing large sums of money across the border is not illegal. Failing to declare it is. There is no upper limit on how much you can bring in or take out, but disclosure is required every time.

Restricted and Prohibited Items

Knowing what you cannot bring across the border saves you from serious consequences. The rules below apply at every Canadian land crossing, including Gordie Howe.

Cannabis is the most common mistake travellers make. Crossing the border with cannabis in any form is a serious criminal offence. This includes cannabis products, oils containing THC, and products containing CBD. It does not matter that cannabis is legal in Canada. It does not matter that you have a medical prescription. A doctor's prescription does not count as Health Canada authorization. The only way to legally import cannabis is with a permit or exemption specifically issued by Health Canada. If you do not have that document, do not bring cannabis to the border.

Most handguns are prohibited from being imported into Canada. The CBSA strongly encourages travellers not to travel with firearms at all. If you plan to bring any firearm, check the rules on Canadian border requirements for firearms and weapons before you travel. Arriving with a prohibited firearm is a criminal matter, not an administrative one.

Certain foods are also restricted. Specific meats, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables can carry plant pests or animal diseases. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency enforces these restrictions at the border. Plan what you are packing before you arrive, especially if you are returning from a trip where you bought food products.

Smuggling or trafficking drugs across the border carries serious criminal consequences in both Canada and the United States. The CBSA warns specifically about people who ask you to carry items for them. If someone asks you to transport anything across the border on their behalf, decline. You are responsible for everything in your vehicle and luggage, regardless of who put it there.

Fireworks are another category that surprises travellers. Not all consumer fireworks sold in the United States are authorized for import into Canada. Check the CBSA's guidance on importing, exporting, and transporting fireworks before you pack them. The rules differ depending on the type and classification of the product.

Impaired driving at the border carries the same legal weight as impaired driving anywhere in Canada. CBSA officers are authorized to take action against anyone who puts other people at risk on the road. Never drive to a border crossing while impaired by alcohol or drugs. The consequences include criminal charges, vehicle seizure, and a potential ban from entering Canada.

You can review the full list of restricted and prohibited goods on the CBSA website before your trip. Knowing the rules in advance is far easier than dealing with enforcement at the primary inspection lane.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many lanes does the Gordie Howe Bridge port of entry have?
The port has 24 primary inspection lanes. They can be reconfigured to support up to 16 commercial lanes or up to 19 traveller lanes depending on demand. There are also dedicated NEXUS and FAST lanes for pre-approved travellers and traders.

Can I walk or cycle across the Gordie Howe International Bridge?
Yes. The bridge includes a multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. This is unusual for a Canadian land border crossing and makes the Gordie Howe port accessible without a vehicle.

Is there a wait time I can check before I leave?
Yes. The CBSA publishes border wait times online. Early mornings are the best times to cross. Holiday long weekends are the busiest. You can also consider the Ambassador Bridge or the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel as alternatives if the Gordie Howe crossing is congested.

Can I bring cannabis if I have a prescription?
No. A medical prescription does not authorize you to bring cannabis across the Canadian border. You need a specific permit or exemption from Health Canada. Without that document, carrying cannabis in any form, including CBD oil, is a criminal offence at the border.

Who do I call if I am unsure what to declare?
Call the CBSA at 1-800-461-9999 before you travel. Officers can answer questions about specific items, declaration requirements, and what to expect at the crossing. It is always better to ask in advance than to face a problem at the inspection lane.

Sources: Government of Canada (canada.ca), Canada Border Services Agency. Last verified: July 30, 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult the CBSA or a qualified legal aid service for guidance on your specific situation.

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