Only took 15 minutes to cross the border at the Ambassador Bridge

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Today my family and I started our Clearwater Beach/WDW vacation and since we drove down along I-75 and for those who are wondering about border wait times, we only waited 15 minutes and we got to the Ambassador Bridge at 6:40 AM this morning. Also once you are finished with the questions and then pay that small fee, there is a ramp which goes right to I-75 and that means no more going through the various streets of Detroit.

I also saw something which I found to be a bit odd so I am wondering if someone knows the answer. In the lane we were waiting at right next to it was a lane called Easy Lane, which had an electronic sign saying it was only for Americans with US Passports, those special drivers licenes and etc. Well I saw a few cars with Ontario plates go through there so how could they do that? I also know that was not the Nexus lanes because those were on the other side and the signs for it were clearly seen.

 

[disneyfreak89]

Sorry, I don't know anything about the Easy Lane.

Wow, only 15 minutes to cross? Is the detour I mentioned still the same (I-75 N to Rosa Parks) or is the ramp to I-75 South open now? Would love to know. We're crossing over tomorrow for the holiday weekend.

 

[Eveningsong]

This might be what you observed.

Detroit – U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced a pilot program at the Ambassador Bridge for travelers with approved Western

Hemisphere Travel Initiative Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology-enabled travel documents. The pilot program will start Monday, June 28, and last for 90 days.

CBP will dedicate lane 13, or the “Ready Lane,” for travelers entering the U.S. with a WHTI-compliant, RFID-enabled document. These documents include:

U.S. Passport card
Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced Identification card
Trusted Traveler card, such as NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST
New Permanent Resident card or a new Border Crossing card
“Since the implementation of WHTI in June 2009, travelers have been required to present secure travel documents that denote citizenship and identity when entering the U.S. at land ports,” said Acting Director Field Operations Roderick Blanchard. “The use of RFID technology in these documents enables CBP to further facilitate legitimate travelers as they cross the border into the U.S. This pilot program will help us determine the efficiency and effectiveness of a dedicated RFID lane for those travelers.”

During the pilot program, the “Ready Lane” will be open from 6 to 10 a.m., seven days a week. CBP will monitor the success of the lane and expand the hours of operation as needed to meet the demand for usage.

In order to use this dedicated lane, all adult passengers over the age of 16, must present one of the approved travel documents.

Travelers using the “Ready Lane” are reminded the three simple steps to follow as they approach a U.S. land port of entry with their RFID-enabled travel card:

Stop at the entry to the inspection lane and wait for a signal to move forward.
Each passenger removes his or her travel card from its protective sleeve and holds it up, with the flat front face of the card toward a window on the driver’s side. The RFID-enabled cards will be read automatically while the vehicle proceeds to the inspection booth.
Stop at the inspection booth, and be prepared to present documents for all travelers in the vehicle to the CBP officer.
“The priority lane complements Michigan’s enhanced driver’s license by adding another element of convenience for travelers,” said Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, who secured federal approval of the state's enhanced license program. “As the enhanced license becomes even more popular, I applaud U.S. Customs and Border Protection for exploring ways to efficiently accommodate motorists who enjoy its advantages. Our state and federal partnership is responding to the needs of travelers while ensuring the security of Michigan and America.”

CBP continues to strongly encourage travelers to obtain RFID-enabled travel to expedite their entry and to help make the borders more efficient.

WHTI is the joint Department of State-Department of Homeland Security plan that implemented a key 9/11 Commission recommendation to establish document requirements for travelers entering the U.S. who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda.

For more information, please visit the GetYouHome.gov website. (www.GetYouHome.gov)

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Sorry, I don't know anything about the Easy Lane.

Wow, only 15 minutes to cross? Is the detour I mentioned still the same (I-75 N to Rosa Parks) or is the ramp to I-75 South open now? Would love to know. We're crossing over tomorrow for the holiday weekend.

It's a direct ramp that goes to I-75 South just after you cross the border.

Eveningsong,
Thanks for that information about it.

 

[DaniB]

Today my family and I started our Clearwater Beach/WDW vacation and since we drove down along I-75 and for those who are wondering about border wait times, we only waited 15 minutes and we got to the Ambassador Bridge at 6:40 AM this morning. Also once you are finished with the questions and then pay that small fee, there is a ramp which goes right to I-75 and that means no more going through the various streets of Detroit.

This will be our first time crossing the border in September. What fee are you referring to? Is there something here I should know about?

 

[disneyfreak89]

It's a direct ramp that goes to I-75 South just after you cross the border.

We just crossed last Saturday and the ramp to I-75 SOUTH is NOW OPEN! Thanks for the heads up! We were waiting to hear about it on the news so assumed it was still closed. Boy what a difference that makes! No more detours!!!!

This will be our first time crossing the border in September. What fee are you referring to? Is there something here I should know about?

She just means the toll you have to pay once you cross the bridge which is $4.00 US or $4.75 Canadian for cars (sorry I can't remember the prices for other vehicle types)

 

[DaniB]

She just means the toll you have to pay once you cross the bridge which is $4.00 US or $4.75 Canadian for cars (sorry I can't remember the prices for other vehicle types)

Ahh, ok - thank you!