Thousand Islands Bridge
Thousand Islands Bridge – Alexandria Bay / Lansdowne – US Interstate 81 / ON 137
The Thousand Islands “Bridge” is actually a series of bridges that cross the St. Lawrence River. In Canada it connects with Highway 401, which runs northeast to Montreal and southwest to Toronto, and 416, which heads north to Ottawa.
This is one of the 10 most used border crossings between the US and Canada and is the 4th busiest in New York. It therefore experiences significant backups during peak periods and 2 hr delays are not uncommon during the summer. This is a heavy truck corridor and I-81 is used by many carriers as an inland alternative to the more crowded I-95. In the past, delays have resulted in diversion of trucks to the Ogdensburg-Prescott Bridge.
| Entering the U.S. at Thousand Islands Bridge | Entering Canada at Thousand Islands Bridge 2013-06-20 05:47 EDT |
|
|---|---|---|
| Personal Vehicles |
At 6:00 am EDT no delay 1 lane(s) open |
No delay |
| NEXUS | Lanes Closed | |
| Ready Lane | N/A | |
| Commercial Vehicles |
At 6:00 am EDT no delay 1 lane(s) open |
No delay |
| FAST | N/A |
Map of Thousand Islands Bridge Border Crossing Area with Real-time Traffic Information
Current traffic conditions are shown on the map in color if data is available. This map is interactive so you may zoom in or out. You can zoom in and drag the orange “man” to the map to see a street view of roadways in this area.
Current Road Conditions in New York and Ontario
We have special pages showing all current road advisories for the State of New York and the province of Ontario. These pages show problems such as accidents, roadway snow or ice, lane closures or blockages, construction, road restrictions, traffic problems, and roadwork around the border crossing.
Thousand Islands Bridge Port Information
- Hours of Operation – This border crossing is open 24 hrs per day, 7 days a week for auto and commercial traffic
- NEXUS hours into the United States: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Saturday and Sunday
- NEXUS hours into Canada: 6am to 8am and 4pm to 6pm Monday through Friday
- There are special rules governing Vehicle Exports. Original documents are required at the port a minimum of 72 hours prior to export.
- Pedestrians can cross segments of the bridge.
- This is a Class A U.S. port which means it is a designated port for all aliens. Foreign nationals entering the U.S. should use Class A Ports of Entry.
Travel Tips for the Thousand Islands Bridge Border Crossing
- Here is a handy link to hotels in Alexandria Bay, New York near the border crossing and here is another link to hotels in Ottawa which is the nearest major city in Canada.
- At peak periods this port can be very slow so many people recommend taking either the Ogdensburg-Prescott Bridge or even the Seaway Bridge border crossings even if they are out of the way for you.
- You can call 511 or 888-GO511NY (888-465-1169) in New York to get ”almost” real time road conditions information.
- You can also get Ontario road information by phone by calling the following numbers: Provincial Call Centre: 800-268-4686, Toronto Area: 416-235-4686, Provincial TTY: 866-471-8929, Niagara Region TTY: 905-704-2426
- There is Duty Free Americas shop on Wellesley Island that is open 24 Hours / 7 Days a Week. Telephone: (315) 482 – 2730.
- Thousand Islands Tax/Duty Free Store is located 1.5 km South of the bridge across from Canada Customs. Telephone 877-676-6673
- This port underwent construction in 2009 to help alleviate congestion by expanding the roadway that funnels traffic into eight U.S. Customs stations from two lanes to four. Before this project, officials had to direct traffic from two approaching lanes into the eight check-in stations. Commercial trucks were required to break off from the approach lanes and follow the curving roadway around a large rock wall which meant that on busy port days, the trucks backed up to Canada.
- Thousand Island Bridge GPS coordinates – Latitude & Longitude: 44.347349, -75.983328
Telephone Numbers for the Border Customs Offices at the Thousand Islands Bridge
- Thousand Islands Bridge U.S. Customs Office Telephone Number: 315 482-2261
- The Thousand Island Bridge Authority: 315-482-2501
- You will need to call the Canadian Border Information Service (CBIS) for information on the Canadian port as they discourage calls directly to the border patrol office.
Ontario Hwy 137 just north of the U.S. Canada Border.
Hwy 401 at the intersection of Hwy 137 in Ontario just North of the Border Crossing
