Windsor-Detroit Tunnel to Reopen for Fully Vaccinated Americans
The Canadian government has selected August 9, 2021, as the date to begin allowing fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents of the United States (U.S.), currently residing in the U.S., to enter Canada for discretionary (non-essential) travel, and the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel will be ready to reopen to those fully vaccinated on the same day.
Prior to crossing the border, American visitors to Canada should consult the Public Health Agency of Canada website to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria to enter Canada.
Tunnel to Harmonize Toll Rates Charged on the Windsor Plaza
Tolls on the Canadian side of the tunnel will also increase on August 9, 2021, harmonizing the cost of driving north with that being charged to come south.
“This is the first-rate increase we’ve had in six years,” said Windsor-Detroit Borderlink Limited (WDBL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carolyn Brown. “During that time, we’ve spent 20 million dollars in upgrades to the tunnel.” The WDBL Board opted not to increase tolls while the ceiling was under construction and not operating on a 24/7 basis. Now that the ceiling project has been successfully completed, the board has approved toll rate changes to synchronize with the rates charged in Detroit and to reflect the current foreign exchange rate.
Windsor to Detroit Toll Rates Effective August 9, 2021
| Category | Canadian Dollars (CAD) | U.S. Dollars (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger Cars | 6.50 | 5.00 |
| NEXPRESS® Passenger Cars | 5.15 | 3.95 |
| Buses | 9.75 | 7.50 |
| NEXPRESS® Buses | 9.25 | 7.00 |
Travellers are reminded of the savings available when using NEXPRESS® Toll. NEXPRESS® Toll is a prepaid program that allows you to drive through all toll lanes hassle-free. Travelers who cross using NEXPRESS® Toll pay 21% less than the regular fare.
View the Tunnel’s complete toll schedule and how to sign up for NEXPRESS® at www.windsortunnel.com/toll2021. Finally, to ensure that tolls keep pace with inflation, the WDBL Board approved a policy that provides that toll rates be increased across the board by 2% every year. Cash Accepted to Year’s End
Along with reopening to the fully vaccinated, tunnel operators on the Canadian side of the border will be reinstating the collection of cash tolls and will continue to accept cash tolls until the end of the year, at which point cash collection will cease as a means of payment.
“From our perspective, this intervening period will allow that percentage of our customer base who previously paid by cash time to enroll in the NEXPRESS® Toll or to transition to a cashless payment option, such as credit cards or debit cards,” said Brown.
Please note: Collection on the U.S. side of the tunnel will not have a grace period, as the operators on the U.S. side intend to continue a cashless operation when the border restrictions are lifted in August.