Tips for crossing the border during busy American Thanksgiving week
Posted November 21, 2011 10:06 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
With American Thanksgiving taking place this Thursday, it will be a busy week at the borders.
There will be several methods available for motorists to check wait times and obtain up-to-date information concerning traffic flow.
Border-crossing agencies will offer this information through a host of sources including the Internet, Twitter, toll-free phone lines and radio broadcasts.
The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission would also like to remind motorists they can take advantage of NEXUS, including a new NEXUS-only travel lane at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge.
Officials also remind people to cross during non-peak times, with peaks expected in the late morning-early afternoons heading into the United States, and late afternoons-evenings returning to Canada.
“We always want the word to get out if you can travel at off-peak hours, even by an hour or two, you can help speed your crossings,” said NFBC General Manager Lew Holloway. “Having proper identification and receipts for purchases ready to pass to the Customs Officer will help move people through faster.”
All travellers to the United States should remember to bring a valid passport or another approved secure document at the border. Acceptable forms of identification for both U.S. entry and re-entry into Canada include a passport, a NEXUS card, a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card and an enhanced driver’s license.
To avoid sports-related delays, keep in mind that, unlike last year, the Buffalo Bills are away Sunday. The Buffalo Sabres play home games Wednesday and Saturday.
Some final tips include:
- Call the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission’s toll free number at 1-800-715-6722 or call 511 for the latest traffic updates
- Tune the radio to 680News
- Visit any of the following websites: Niagara Falls Bridges traffic conditions, cbp.gov, cbsa.gc.ca, nittec.org, peacebridge.com
- Note the NITTEC highway dynamic message signs with posted delays beyond 30 minutes
- Register at mynittec.org to receive a free personalized email or text notification of border and regional traffic information
- Access Twitter at @niagarabridges
- Have a passenger use a cell phone to access travel information at wap.gc.ca or gc.ca
