Here's great news for shippers and importers doing business with Canada. More capacity is coming to the cross-border point between Detroit, Michigan, USA, and Windsor, Ontario, Canada, for commercial trucks in late 2024.

In June 2023, Canada ranked as the number one export partner and number two import partner (following Mexico) with the US. Detroit was the busiest northern border port for loaded trucks, with over 103k crossings (Source: Department of Transportation). That's roughly 3,433 trucks per day!

Currently, most of this truck traffic transits alongside non-commercial traffic on the 90-year-old, 4-lane Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor. The average wait time is 30 minutes but can be much longer at peak times. It's not unusual for trucks to be bumper-to-bumper.

Just south of the Ambassador Bridge is the construction of a new crossing point, the Gordie Howe International Bridge, expected to open in late 2024.

The new bridge will add six lanes of capacity and will shift all commercial traffic from the Ambassador Bridge. It will connect to Interstate 75 (I-75), providing quick highway access to major US cities down to Miami.

US Customs in Detroit will increase its workforce to facilitate trade. Truck congestion will decrease due to more lanes and better-designed ramps onto I-75 that will minimize the impact of international traffic on roads near the port of entry. Other benefits include minimized truck idle time and reduced fuel consumption.

At completion, the Gordie Howe International Bridge will have the longest main span of any cable-stayed bridge in North America. Pedestrians and cyclists will also have the opportunity to cross the Detroit River using a multi-use lane, which was not previously an option.

Separating commercial traffic from non-commercial traffic should improve transit times for all, giving importers and exporters more control over their supply chain.