What it will be like to use Canada's new largest border crossing in Ontario

Canada and the U.S. are inching ever closer to the opening of the highly-anticipated Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will soon serve as the largest border crossing between the two countries, as well as the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America.

As we approach the seventh anniversary of work starting on the gargantuan infrastructure project, residents stand just months away from actually being able to use it. And, the team working to wrap things up on the ground continues to drum up excitement with extraordinary drone footage, behind-the-scenes looks, and other updates.

The latest is a mini-tour of some of the border checkpoint's facilities, including a drive-through of an inspection lane and the secondary inspection area once vehicles cross the six-lane, 2.5-kilometre-long viaduct over the Detroit River into Windsor, Ontario.

A clip posted to the project's official YouTube page on Thursday takes viewers through one of the crossing's five-meter tall, 3.6-metre-wide motorcoach lanes, showing off the spiffy new booths that border control officers will occupy under the structure's stunning canopy design.

There are a total of a whopping 24 primary inspection booths and 16 toll booths for travellers coming into Canada, along with 38 parking spaces (three for buses) in the secondary area.

Kiosks will offer a "customer-centric" experience, complete with accessibility provisions, with the aim of being the most efficient and secure border checkpoint possible. The facilities appear sleek, modern, and, of course, brand-new in this early glimpse. 

Largest Canada-U.S. border crossing presses on in Ontario as trade war loomshttps://t.co/74lvDFWQtm

— blogTO (@blogTO) February 5, 2025

The $6.4 billion bridge, connecting the I-75 in Michigan to Ontario's Highway 401, is on track to accept its first travellers in September 2025. People are advised to have their travel documents ready and to declare all goods for the smoothest, fastest experience once it opens up.