Detroit-Windsor Tunnel reopens for vaccinated travelers
November 8, 2021Nov. 8, 2021
The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel fully reopens today to vaccinated travelers after being closed to the general public since March 21, 2020, just after the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The reopening comes as the U.S. lifted restrictions Monday on travel to and from countries including Canada, Mexico and most of Europe.
New rules require those crossing a land border from Canada or Mexico to have proof of vaccination. Those traveling by air from a series of countries from which it has been restricted since the early days of the pandemic must have proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test.
The Canadian border opened to nonessential travel in August as long entry requirements were met.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents were always allowed to enter the U.S., but the travel bans grounded tourists, thwarted business travelers and often separated families.
The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel will remain cashless on the Detroit side of the border for vehicles traveling to Canada. The Canadian side of the border will continue to accept cash tolls through the end of the year, at which point cash will no longer be accepted as a form of payment.
Transit Windsor’s tunnel bus service currently remains suspended.
Before the pandemic, the tunnel served 12,000 daily customers and 4 million annually. Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is operated by Detroit-based American Roads through a lease with the city of Detroit that began in 1998 and runs through 2040.
