I must be the only Brit to cross the Bluewater border crossing twice without a passport. I lived in Sarnia for a year and worked on the construction of the new CN railroad tunnel under the St Clair River. The 1st time was when I went down to Windsor with the chief electrical supervisor in his RV to watch his son try out in ice hockey. on the way back I fell asleep in the back, he crossed over to the US no one checked on me asleep in the back. I had some explaining to do at the Bluewater crossing, but they let me cross. The 2nd time was when the tunnel broke through at Port Huron together with the mining gang I climbed through the TBM cutter head. After the ceremony the safety guys wouldn't let us climb back through. So I joined the crew in the bus and once again did the Bluewater run. When asked how I got into the US, the whole crew called out at once, We dug a tunnel.
I did the blue water bridge back in 2006. Coming back I missed the exit onto the 402 so ended up returning back via the tunnel which was more expensive toll wise. I've done the tunnel lots off time. never done the ambassador bridge.
That doesn't make sense. There is no tunnel near Sarnia. There is the bridge or the ferry. There is a tunnel in Windsor/Detroit, but the 402 goes nowhere near there. Maybe the 401?
djsolaris979 I have a question about the CBP officers. Are they trained to be rude and obnoxious? They always sound so accusatory and I get treated better as a foreigner entering Canada than as an American coming back to his home country.
A Gaytheist It might seem like it especially if it is your first time going into a different country. I flew with my youth group to Canada on a missions trip. I found it easier leaving Canada than entering. I was only asked 2 questions when leaving. They were "Where are you going?" and "Do you have any luggage items?" Entering was a different story...
yeah there's no way I would of picked the right lane either. Terrible signage for a highway, good thing it wasn't crowded with vehicles. You're a bit away from home I'd say… :)
Ya.. The sign said "Pay Machine". I thought I could insert coins to the machine. It turned out the machine only eats "tokens". I'm like.. what tokens?!.. I guess it's some sort of express lane that people can just throw their tokens into the basket and go. It was my first time crossing the border from there, guess I know which lane to choose next time...
YOU WOULD KNOW RIGHT AWAY WHICH BORDER YOU ARE CROSSING IF YOU ENCOUNTER AN OFFICER THAT ARE SO ARROGANT AND DISRESPECTFUL, THAT MEANS YOU ARE ENTERING THE U.S. BORDER! VERY OPPOSITE TO CANADIAN BORDER OFFICERS, WHO ARE VERY NICE AND RESPECTABLE! THIS IS ALL BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. I'VE BEEN GOING TO THE U.S. LIKE 5X IN A YEAR.
No generalizations here...all US border officials bad..all Canadians..good!..:) This must be taken a step further..Americans equal BAD..Canadians equal GOOD!!! :)
May I ask how you were able to record and overlay your GPS map on the video? Heading to the US this month and am going to test out the GoPro on the drive and would love to do something similar. Thanks for sharing your great video!
Just have BIG letters only for each lane IE: TOKENS this lane, CASH this lane, TELLER this lane. Why do they have to make it so confusing??? Scrolling signs make ZERO sense. Have a permanent sign for cars or trucks on top of the digital signage so they don't have to do scrolling. Sheesh
Toronto Ontario to Carleton Michigan, Republic landfill made a whole lot of Tripps LOL always found the American Customs to be quite accommodating, at least they had a sense of humour LOL I found the Canadian customs were worse, that trouble getting into my own damn country and I'm a 6th generation Canadian!!
I can't help but notice that the Canadian part of the highway is very modern and in excellent condition --- but as soon as you cross the border everything just looks shitty. Is Michigan a poor state ?
Tristan van Oosten Not really but 2 things 1. The US National Highway system is twice as lengthy (seriously) as Canada's. More roads to maintain although the states due most of the heavy lifting. 2. Maintenance schedule takes population and usage into account before fixing it up. This particular crossing on the US side isn't extremely populated although go down directly south a couple of hours perhaps and you're in Detroit. Anyways what this means is inherently less cars go along the road so Michigan may not be as bothered to fix it up as it still functions. They have so many roads they don't have enough money to fix them all up regularly. So Detroit being the largest city and most used USA-Canada crossings period means it is regularly maintenanced. It get fixed up many times over before they worry about Port Huron up here.
Konformation07 Would it then not be cheaper to close that border crossing and route all traffic through the Detroit checkpoint ? I am European so I don't really get the scale of this.
Tristan van Oosten No as Detroit has two crossing (a bridge and tunnel) and they are already packed as it is. It is one the busiest on the border. I believe they are opening another one as well soon. However Port Huron is important to warrant its existence and the roads are still safe. They just aren't as fresh as Canadas. Also more people live in Southern Canada than Northern Michigan so it's important that their highways are in optimal shape. More usage amongst the Canadian drivers.
Konformation07 I understand. Here in Europe we used to focus most border crossings at certain points -- this was, of course, until 1993. Most areas just had border crossings at motorways or in cross-border villages.
I believe it's because of the weight limit here; we allow more weight than most US states and Canada. Plus there's more cars on the road. If you go to like I-75 past Gaylord the road is a bit nicer because not a lot of people live there.
Your nutts if you think you seen America in 45 minutes!? Smh there's Americans been here 55 yrs and haven't seen it all but I guess you say this cuz you didn't see a bunch of white ppl acting black or wannabe thugs??? Lmao since you seen "America" there is no reason for you to come back right!???
A Gaytheist What's an enhanced license and how do you get one? Don't they have something that allows you to cross the border more easily if you're frequently going back and forth?
Please pay attention to the posted speed limits. The Americans are bad for disregarding and speeding. The locals follow the limits WHICH SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING lol
Has a channel and calls it 'Bad drivers of York region'..then makes a video as he/she drives 91km into the international plaza that has clear signage to indicate it's 50KM!! There is often a cruiser sitting on the left shoulder..had you been going 9km faster on that day you'd have been walking home with no car, no license and a road racing offense summons in your pocket!! But you'll likely remove this post anyway as many do when someone calls them out!!
I must be the only Brit to cross the Bluewater border crossing twice without a passport.
I lived in Sarnia for a year and worked on the construction of the new CN railroad tunnel under the St Clair River.
The 1st time was when I went down to Windsor with the chief electrical supervisor in his RV to watch his son try out in ice hockey. on the way back I fell asleep in the back, he crossed over to the US no one checked on me asleep in the back. I had some explaining to do at the Bluewater crossing, but they let me cross.
The 2nd time was when the tunnel broke through at Port Huron together with the mining gang I climbed through the TBM cutter head. After the ceremony the safety guys wouldn't let us climb back through. So I joined the crew in the bus and once again did the Bluewater run. When asked how I got into the US, the whole crew called out at once, We dug a tunnel.
I love that hahaha great story thank you 😊 🎉
I did the blue water bridge back in 2006. Coming back I missed the exit onto the 402 so ended up returning back via the tunnel which was more expensive toll wise. I've done the tunnel lots off time. never done the ambassador bridge.
That doesn't make sense. There is no tunnel near Sarnia. There is the bridge or the ferry. There is a tunnel in Windsor/Detroit, but the 402 goes nowhere near there. Maybe the 401?
And the bridge in Windsor is the Ambassador Bridge.
Thats what I ment. Was supposed to turn onto the 402 for sarnia but missed the exit so ended up staying on the 401 all the way to windsor
thanks for this video :)
Thanks for this! Am working on a book and have never made the crossing myself, so this was amazingly helpful!
I know it's 4 years since you made this comment, but I'm here for the exact same reason! :)
Whats the book?
Good video. I used to live in Port Huron, Michigan where they are going. Such a fun town, that was. Awesome to see what it looks like, now.
Very nice video
Hello! Just stumbled upon your video. My husband is a CBP officer at the BWB on the American side, so this was kind of cool to see :)
djsolaris979 I have a question about the CBP officers. Are they trained to be rude and obnoxious? They always sound so accusatory and I get treated better as a foreigner entering Canada than as an American coming back to his home country.
A Gaytheist It might seem like it especially if it is your first time going into a different country. I flew with my youth group to Canada on a missions trip. I found it easier leaving Canada than entering. I was only asked 2 questions when leaving. They were "Where are you going?" and "Do you have any luggage items?" Entering was a different story...
yeah there's no way I would of picked the right lane either. Terrible signage for a highway, good thing it wasn't crowded with vehicles. You're a bit away from home I'd say… :)
Ya.. The sign said "Pay Machine". I thought I could insert coins to the machine. It turned out the machine only eats "tokens". I'm like.. what tokens?!..
I guess it's some sort of express lane that people can just throw their tokens into the basket and go.
It was my first time crossing the border from there, guess I know which lane to choose next time...
+Bad Drivers of York Region (and Toronto) hey what's the name of these songs. l kinda like it. thanks 🚗
Are those thermal and xray cameras pointing at the vehicles?
YOU WOULD KNOW RIGHT AWAY WHICH BORDER YOU ARE CROSSING IF YOU ENCOUNTER AN OFFICER THAT ARE SO ARROGANT AND DISRESPECTFUL, THAT MEANS YOU ARE ENTERING THE U.S. BORDER! VERY OPPOSITE TO CANADIAN BORDER OFFICERS, WHO ARE VERY NICE AND RESPECTABLE! THIS IS ALL BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. I'VE BEEN GOING TO THE U.S. LIKE 5X IN A YEAR.
No generalizations here...all US border officials bad..all Canadians..good!..:) This must be taken a step further..Americans equal BAD..Canadians equal GOOD!!! :)
boom! boom! - so true
May I ask how you were able to record and overlay your GPS map on the video? Heading to the US this month and am going to test out the GoPro on the drive and would love to do something similar. Thanks for sharing your great video!
The last time I was on the Blue Water Bridge was in 1977.
Shane Spencer they have built another bridge to it’s left side 1995 going to the U.S.
Good drivers.
Nice music
Can you please make a video about Thousands island bridge?
Nice
Nice little video. What time of day was this? I am in the area the bridge is backed up daily with trucks crossing into Canada.
Just have BIG letters only for each lane IE: TOKENS this lane, CASH this lane, TELLER this lane. Why do they have to make it so confusing???
Scrolling signs make ZERO sense. Have a permanent sign for cars or trucks on top of the digital signage so they don't have to do scrolling. Sheesh
Canada should build a giant wall on its border.
Where are you in Mi
Nice video. What is the name of the first song?
6:40 passing a truckload of Toronto garbage being hauled. On your way to D-Town! Oh yeah!
Toronto Ontario to Carleton Michigan, Republic landfill made a whole lot of Tripps LOL always found the American Customs to be quite accommodating, at least they had a sense of humour LOL I found the Canadian customs were worse, that trouble getting into my own damn country and I'm a 6th generation Canadian!!
I can't help but notice that the Canadian part of the highway is very modern and in excellent condition --- but as soon as you cross the border everything just looks shitty. Is Michigan a poor state ?
Tristan van Oosten Not really but 2 things
1. The US National Highway system is twice as lengthy (seriously) as Canada's. More roads to maintain although the states due most of the heavy lifting.
2. Maintenance schedule takes population and usage into account before fixing it up. This particular crossing on the US side isn't extremely populated although go down directly south a couple of hours perhaps and you're in Detroit. Anyways what this means is inherently less cars go along the road so Michigan may not be as bothered to fix it up as it still functions. They have so many roads they don't have enough money to fix them all up regularly.
So Detroit being the largest city and most used USA-Canada crossings period means it is regularly maintenanced. It get fixed up many times over before they worry about Port Huron up here.
Konformation07
Would it then not be cheaper to close that border crossing and route all traffic through the Detroit checkpoint ? I am European so I don't really get the scale of this.
Tristan van Oosten No as Detroit has two crossing (a bridge and tunnel) and they are already packed as it is. It is one the busiest on the border. I believe they are opening another one as well soon. However Port Huron is important to warrant its existence and the roads are still safe. They just aren't as fresh as Canadas. Also more people live in Southern Canada than Northern Michigan so it's important that their highways are in optimal shape. More usage amongst the Canadian drivers.
Konformation07
I understand. Here in Europe we used to focus most border crossings at certain points -- this was, of course, until 1993. Most areas just had border crossings at motorways or in cross-border villages.
I believe it's because of the weight limit here; we allow more weight than most US states and Canada. Plus there's more cars on the road. If you go to like I-75 past Gaylord the road is a bit nicer because not a lot of people live there.
Freedom convoyyyyy 2022!!
where is the visas control ?
5:08
Anybody know the best time to cross here on a saturday? I will be crossing then
Not really it's usually busy on a Saturday I know as I don't live far from the bridge
ok i went to America and I saw everything it takes 45 mins to the border from Canada but.... from America to Canada it ... TAKES HOURS!!!
Illegals can do it in minutes!
Your nutts if you think you seen America in 45 minutes!? Smh there's Americans been here 55 yrs and haven't seen it all but I guess you say this cuz you didn't see a bunch of white ppl acting black or wannabe thugs??? Lmao since you seen "America" there is no reason for you to come back right!???
You have to pay to cross the border?
Yes
amegeohos So, we don't need a passport? Or have things changed?
I think its $3.00 and $3.50 there. Bridge toll.
Typical Life You need a citizenship document. I don't have a passport, but I use an enhanced license. You can also use a birth certificate.
A Gaytheist What's an enhanced license and how do you get one? Don't they have something that allows you to cross the border more easily if you're frequently going back and forth?
Been a long time since i visited port huron
You aren't missing much
With the other commenter. Not much is left there. All the businesses have moved south.
Was it scary for anyone knowing
Please pay attention to the posted speed limits. The Americans are bad for disregarding and speeding. The locals follow the limits WHICH SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING lol
Has a channel and calls it 'Bad drivers of York region'..then makes a video as he/she drives 91km into the international plaza that has clear signage to indicate it's 50KM!! There is often a cruiser sitting on the left shoulder..had you been going 9km faster on that day you'd have been walking home with no car, no license and a road racing offense summons in your pocket!! But you'll likely remove this post anyway as many do when someone calls them out!!
you went the wrong lane. Duh!
It happens, not very well marked when they're shutdown
As soon as u enter michigan all u'd see is blacks, arabs and bengalis. White people are rare species in MI
Solitude in Arctic I lived in Port Huron until 2001. There used to be white people there. Guess not anymore.
Lol I love watching this video BECUSE 6 more days then Canada for me!
Hope you have a great time!