Roads: Ambassador & Gordie Howe Bridges

[innsertnamehere]

It might also depend on which direction there going .. it seems the Gordie Howe bridge will require you to cross 7 lanes on i-75 to get into the exit lane for I-96/I-94in under a km, while the Ambassador has direct access to that exit lane (although then maybe that traffic is using the blue water bridge?... )

It'll be 4 lanes of traffic, but yes.

Most Ambassador traffic will be heading south on I-75 though, I suspect. those wanting to get to I94 will probably end up using Southfield Rd to connect as it's a much more direct route than running north back into Downtown Detroit.

 

[Haljackey]

Assuming no border wait times, yes it is better to take the Blue Water Bridge if you want to use I-94 / the Detroit airport. For I-96, Blue Water is also better if you're using it beyond the Detroit metro for sure, perhaps via I-69.

A timelapse came out from the bridge authority to showcase April-November 2023 construction

 

[innsertnamehere]

Anecdotally I drove to Chicago last summer and Google Maps wanted to send me via the Ambassador both times. On the way back I took I-69 just for a change of scenery as the difference was a few minutes.. but it still directed me to the Ambassador.

 

[ericmacm]

I wonder what efforts they will to try to keep customers? I would not be surprised if the fuel prices drop a little, and their toll is set just below the Gordie Howe ones. Perhaps lobbying for a big sign on the 401 that says something like "USA - Gordie Howe $x , Ambassador $y , Tunnel $z "...

It's certainly going to be a challenge for them, given the Gordie Howe has direct access from highways...

They are going to have to cut prices, no doubt about that. It won’t be handling much truck traffic after the Gordie Howe opens but it will certainly still provide some value to local travel between Windsor/Detroit.

Another big problem for the Ambassador is the fact that it outlets onto I-75 just a few kilometres east of the future Gordie Howe I-75 connection, meaning it is basically redundant on the American side. So ultimately, it really only provides significant time saving value if you live in or have travelled to West Windsor south of the EC Row. Otherwise, the Gordie Howe is still the best option due to its direct connections to both EC ROW and the 401. The tunnel also still remains competitive because of the direct connection to downtown Windsor on the Canadian side, and on American side because of both downtown Detroit and multiple freeway connections (I-375 and John C Lodge) only a few hundred metres away from the tunnel along Jefferson Boulevard.

I genuinely think that the Ambassador Bridge will see financial difficulties once the Gordie Howe opens and will have to sell to somebody (likely to Canada) eventually.

 

[drum118]

They are going to have to cut prices, no doubt about that. It won’t be handling much truck traffic after the Gordie Howe opens but it will certainly still provide some value to local travel between Windsor/Detroit.

Another big problem for the Ambassador is the fact that it outlets onto I-75 just a few kilometres east of the future Gordie Howe I-75 connection, meaning it is basically redundant on the American side. So ultimately, it really only provides significant time saving value if you live in or have travelled to West Windsor south of the EC Row. Otherwise, the Gordie Howe is still the best option due to its direct connections to both EC ROW and the 401. The tunnel also still remains competitive because of the direct connection to downtown Windsor on the Canadian side, and on American side because of both downtown Detroit and multiple freeway connections (I-375 and John C Lodge) only a few hundred metres away from the tunnel along Jefferson Boulevard.

I genuinely think that the Ambassador Bridge will see financial difficulties once the Gordie Howe opens and will have to sell to somebody (likely to Canada) eventually.

The other thing for the Ambassador bridge, will there be as many custom officer's on duty like today or will a number of them be moved to the Gordie Howe bridge causing a backup for the bridge??

For me, I will use Gordie Howe to go south on I-75 or the southern part of Detroit, Ambassador bridge and Windsor Tunnel for Detroit area and the Blue Water bridge for I-94.

The revenue for the Ambassador Bridge will fall with the bulk of traffic using Gordie Howe to the point the tolls will jump more than they should that could drive more traffic from it.

 

[innsertnamehere]

They are going to have to cut prices, no doubt about that. It won’t be handling much truck traffic after the Gordie Howe opens but it will certainly still provide some value to local travel between Windsor/Detroit.

Another big problem for the Ambassador is the fact that it outlets onto I-75 just a few kilometres east of the future Gordie Howe I-75 connection, meaning it is basically redundant on the American side. So ultimately, it really only provides significant time saving value if you live in or have travelled to West Windsor south of the EC Row. Otherwise, the Gordie Howe is still the best option due to its direct connections to both EC ROW and the 401. The tunnel also still remains competitive because of the direct connection to downtown Windsor on the Canadian side, and on American side because of both downtown Detroit and multiple freeway connections (I-375 and John C Lodge) only a few hundred metres away from the tunnel along Jefferson Boulevard.

I genuinely think that the Ambassador Bridge will see financial difficulties once the Gordie Howe opens and will have to sell to somebody (likely to Canada) eventually.

This is only during low-traffic times, though.

Look at Niagara as to how it will likely operate - during low crossing volume times, yea, the Ambassador is going to be pretty quiet. During high demand times, people will spread to whatever crossing has a shorter wait (relatively).

In Niagara the Peace Bridge is the main crossing as it's the fastest route with the lowest toll burden for most drivers, but Lewiston still pulls decent traffic as people use it to bypass long lines at the Peace Bridge, even with about $5 CAD in additional tolls each way and about a 5-minute longer drive time.

 

[turini2]

This is only during low-traffic times, though.

Look at Niagara as to how it will likely operate - during low crossing volume times, yea, the Ambassador is going to be pretty quiet. During high demand times, people will spread to whatever crossing has a shorter wait (relatively).

In Niagara the Peace Bridge is the main crossing as it's the fastest route with the lowest toll burden for most drivers, but Lewiston still pulls decent traffic as people use it to bypass long lines at the Peace Bridge, even with about $5 CAD in additional tolls each way and about a 5-minute longer drive time.

Yes, I could see the Ambassador asking for/paying for a "crossing wait time" electronic sign on the 401!

 

[turini2]

The other thing for the Ambassador bridge, will there be as many custom officer's on duty like today or will a number of them be moved to the Gordie Howe bridge causing a backup for the bridge??

For me, I will use Gordie Howe to go south on I-75 or the southern part of Detroit, Ambassador bridge and Windsor Tunnel for Detroit area and the Blue Water bridge for I-94.

The revenue for the Ambassador Bridge will fall with the bulk of traffic using Gordie Howe to the point the tolls will jump more than they should that could drive more traffic from it.

I wouldn't be surprised if general customs capability remains the same - for some trucks and most cars. But specialist customs capability might be moved to the brand new facilities at the Gordie Howe - given USDA have a building there, vehicle imaging building, much more space etc.

 

[junctionist]

With the Niagara bridges, I don't believe that profitability is a driving factor. If one bridge mainly absorbs excess traffic at peak times, the government is still effectively fulfilling its mandate of making the crossing efficient for the sake of livability, productivity and trade.

I'm not sure that the Ambassador will be profitable if it's only there to absorb excess traffic during peak times. As a private enterprise, profitability is the driving factor. If it isn't profitable, it'll close. Maintaining the bridge is very costly.

 

[EnviroTO]

Yes, I could see the Ambassador asking for/paying for a "crossing wait time" electronic sign on the 401!

I don't think that will work in the Ambassador Bridge's favour. The Gordie Howe Bridge will have 36 US inspection lanes (21 non-commercial / cars, and 15 commercial / trucks). They will adjust staffing to optimize throughput on the main crossing.

 

[LNahid2000]

In Niagara the Peace Bridge is the main crossing as it's the fastest route with the lowest toll burden for most drivers, but Lewiston still pulls decent traffic as people use it to bypass long lines at the Peace Bridge, even with about $5 CAD in additional tolls each way and about a 5-minute longer drive time.

Huh? The Peace Bridge is more expensive than Lewiston if you don't have Ez-Pass. $6.50 CAD for Lewiston vs 10.75 CAD for the Peace Bridge. The Peace Bridge is $1 USD cheaper than Lewiston if you use Ez-Pass.

 

[innsertnamehere]

Huh? The Peace Bridge is more expensive than Lewiston if you don't have Ez-Pass. $6.50 CAD for Lewiston vs 10.75 CAD for the Peace Bridge. The Peace Bridge is $1 USD cheaper than Lewiston if you use Ez-Pass.

Interesting - thanks. I always thought that Lewiston was more - I feel like it used to be once you add the Grand Island tolls you have to pay as well. Lewiston is $5USD + $2.50USD in Grand Island tolls, while Peace Bridge is a flat $8. Even with the grand island toll, it works out $0.50 cheaper.

For some reason I had in my head that both charged about the same toll and that Lewiston had the Grand Island tolls on top of it.

Not that I care, I usually cross at Lewiston.

 

[LNahid2000]

Interesting - thanks. I always thought that Lewiston was more - I feel like it used to be once you add the Grand Island tolls you have to pay as well. Lewiston is $5USD + $2.50USD in Grand Island tolls, while Peace Bridge is a flat $8. Even with the grand island toll, it works out $0.50 cheaper.

For some reason I had in my head that both charged about the same toll and that Lewiston had the Grand Island tolls on top of it.

Not that I care, I usually cross at Lewiston.

Yeah, I remember that a few years ago, the Grand Island tolls made the Peace Bridge cheaper than Lewiston as well. The two bridges had around the same tolls at one point.

 

[ShonTron]

Yeah, I remember that a few years ago, the Grand Island tolls made the Peace Bridge cheaper than Lewiston as well. The two bridges had around the same tolls at one point.

Wow, the tolls really went up, but at least they're only paid one way. If you make more than two or three trips a year, it's worth it to get an EZ-Pass. The NY Thruway Authority makes it really easy and inexpensive too, as there's no rental charge or minimum spend, and you can pick one up at any Wegman's in the Buffalo area; no residency requirements. (Other EZ-Pass authorities, like MTA Bridges and Tunnels, Port Authority, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania Turnpike are more expensive). Only $4 USD to go through the Peace Bridge coming home to Canada with one of those tags.

 

[innsertnamehere]

I’ve debated getting an EZ pass - I go to NY probably just often enough for it to be worth it.

My experience with the new camera tolling system in NY makes me think otherwise however.. it seems to routinely mess up and undercharge. Funny, because the 407 Camera system sure as h*** doesn’t do that!