So now I’m curious as to how the US/Canada border works. It says that the bridge gives uninterrupted freeway traffic flow, but wouldn’t the international border require interruption? How does border crossing work with a bridge like this?
Yes: freeway uninterrupted by city streets, which was how it was before. Highway 401 dumped you into city streets - I don’t know exactly how far away from the bridge, but one article I read mentioned 12 traffic lights between the bridge and freeway access.
So that’s what they’re talking about. Not a Shengen-style border.
On the Canadian side of Ambassador Bridge, you get dropped onto a stroad with stop lights. You can see this in satellite photos of it. The new bridge does not do that, and drops you directly onto a freeway.
As an American, or somebody with a US green card, the process is that you drive up to the border crossing and wait in a line of cars. When it’s your turn at the booth you give them a stack of passports and green cards, let them visually identify everybody in the vehicle, answer some questions, and then they give your documents back and waive you through. It’s basically the same as the immigration process at the airport, except you stay in your vehicle.
Then of course there’s a separate toll booth for your tunnel or bridge.
So now I’m curious as to how the US/Canada border works. It says that the bridge gives uninterrupted freeway traffic flow, but wouldn’t the international border require interruption? How does border crossing work with a bridge like this?
Yes: freeway uninterrupted by city streets, which was how it was before. Highway 401 dumped you into city streets - I don’t know exactly how far away from the bridge, but one article I read mentioned 12 traffic lights between the bridge and freeway access.
So that’s what they’re talking about. Not a Shengen-style border.
So there is a customs/border check
Yes.
Of course.
It is an international border.
On the Canadian side of Ambassador Bridge, you get dropped onto a stroad with stop lights. You can see this in satellite photos of it. The new bridge does not do that, and drops you directly onto a freeway.
Personally, I prefer the tunnel.
How/where do you do the border crossing paperwork?
As an American, or somebody with a US green card, the process is that you drive up to the border crossing and wait in a line of cars. When it’s your turn at the booth you give them a stack of passports and green cards, let them visually identify everybody in the vehicle, answer some questions, and then they give your documents back and waive you through. It’s basically the same as the immigration process at the airport, except you stay in your vehicle.
Then of course there’s a separate toll booth for your tunnel or bridge.
I live in a country with no land borders, so my experience with land borders is only that of a non resident/citizen.