In sheer comparison to the Moroun operated monopoly, Blue Water earns a thousand stars. I pick it hands down every time over the money-skimming Ambassador that keeps dropping pieces of the roadway into the Detroit River.
You see, I am also the girl who waits with baited breath for the 'new bridge to Canada' to open and ardently defend the construction of a newer, better Detroit-Windsor crossing that benefits Michigan rather than ruining neighbourhoods and lining a callous billionaire's pockets. But you're here for a review and not a political diatribe about how much I dislike one of the richest men in the state.
Blue Water Bridge earns few accolades, an unsung hero in our transportation network. For most of us, it's simply a point to get from Port Huron to Sarnia. It stands in the way of the open road, a bottleneck demanding a toll for the privilege of getting from the land of apple pie to the kingdom (queendom, really) of maple syrup and friendly health care. Yet here she stands, rain or shine, snow or gale, safely transporting us about the river without the least bit of complaint. Take an opportunity to admire the bridge from Lighthouse Park in Port Huron or the promenade on the other side, and absorb the engineering that keeps us moving.
In the last few years, heavy construction totally remodeled the American side of the approach. Now numerous signs warn about the last exit before heading into Canada and $3.25 toll, and the broad lanes are well marked to allow streamlined approaches of truck and car traffic into their respective lanes. No longer do bewildered drivers face a mad dash to get into a proper lane, or be stuck among the idling semis with a 45 minute wait to cross. Behold those tidy queues and rejoice at the relatively short lines compared to the aforementioned misery business of the Ambassador Bridge.
Lines get rather long at peak times in summer or rush hour, so listen to the radio to check out border times. I've never had an issue crossing here between border services on either side. Make sure to have proper idea, answer with a smile, and you're good.
The only drawback about the Blue Water is its location: notably, not anywhere near me for regular jaunts into Windsor. I put my money on the tunnel when I need to get back and forth, but for avoiding headaches, this good old bridge is the way to go. read more