Whirlpool Rapids Bridge

We are in Love with this bridge and our Nexus Pass, 25 seconds to Canada
We don’t have the wait 1 – 2 hours at the border each way anymore.
EZ Pass handles the money end Nexus Pass is WONDERFUL

This was my first opportunity to use my Nexus card since I received it late last year. I was heading to Buffalo airport to pick up some relatives that were flying in.
I was able to find the bridge no problem using my GPS but being this was my first time ever using this crossing along with not knowing at all what to expect I was a little confused. I was the only one at the bridge so I wasn’t able to just follow what the person in front of me was doing.
Firstly there are these square type card scanners. I wasn’t sure if I needed to hold it front or back because the example they had didn’t make much sense. I didn’t know if I had to put it right up to the scanner or hold it at a distance… no clue. I didn’t know if I was ok to go or not as there wasn’t any real indication as when to proceed or not. I had to do this step twice.
As I approached what looked like another card scan a flash went off to confuse me even more. As I looked ahead I didn’t see anybody or anything that looked familiar as I said it was a new experience for me completely.
I ended up accidentally driving past the actual DHS booth and the guy yelled at me to say «HEY!». I quickly reversed and came back. Needless to say he was shocked and so was I. I think the booth was closed as it was cool and it wasn’t open with a person waiting to see me. I wasn’t expecting to see a what just looked like a metal box with a closed door. I didn’t know if I had to pull off or whatever I was completely disoriented and had no idea what was going on being that I was the only person using the bridge and that booth seemed closed.
I apologized profusely and the guard sounded upset that I just drove through which was completely understandable. He inspected my card and passport and let me go through quickly though. I explained it was my first time using the card and that crossing and I was completely unfamiliar with the crossing.
When a bridge is THAT quiet a person that has crossed the border countless times (except not this bridge) can even get confused. I’m used to having a LONG line, trying to find the best booth to go to but here, this is not the case at all. It’s so quiet it almost seemed completely deserted but it wasn’t. My bad…
Either way it’s so convenient to cross here I am wondering what took me so long to get this…
One key piece of advise if right after the crossing there’s a HUGE pothole not far after you cross on a main street. Avoid this road hazard! Besides that huge wake up bump and being scolded for not stopping it’s a pretty great place to cross.

Thank heavens for this bridge and the Nexus Lane. My fiancé lives/​works in Toronto and occasionally I drop him off at the train station in Niagara Falls so he doesn’t have to drive. This bridge makes it easy to drop him off just like I was dropping him off somewhere on the U.S. side. Plus, with the addition of EZ Pass (no more putting money on my Nexus Card) — it’s gotten even better.
I just wish it was open 24 hours. It’s only open 7am — 11pm (every day).

This bridge is one of the best hidden secrets of the NEXUS program (shhh…don’t tell anyone). It is by far the quickest and most efficient way to cross between Canada and the US. On the US side is located a small building where money can be loaded onto your NEXUS card to make paying those tolls quicker and easier (no more coins).

I love this bridge. Recently got a Nexus card and love being able to go over with minimal wait. I doubt I will ever use the rainbow bridge again.

Applied online for Global Entry and had my in-​person photo, fingerprinting and interview here. Global Entry allows you to do your customs and immigration at a kiosk when flying back into the USA (skip the lines!), plus gets you through Nexus crossing back into the USA from Canada (but not the other way around, you need to apply for Nexus for that), PLUS gets you TSA Pre-​Check. It’s $ 100 and valid for 5 years and probably one of the nicest things you’ll ever do for yourself if you travel a lot and hate lines.
I applied online and received conditional approval within a week. Then I set up my appointment online a few weeks in advance. The day of the appointment, this particular office was very efficient and the whole thing took less than 45 minutes. It’s effective immediately. Awesome.

The Whirlpool Bridge has saved me many hours of waiting in line at the US/​Canada boarder. It’s a dedicated bridge for Nexus users. I usually take the Queenston-​Lewiston Bridge exclusively if I know there will be little to no wait. I call the 1−800−715−6722 Border Status Hotline to find out ahead of time. But if there is any hint that there’s a wait, then I go straight to the Whirlpool Bridge. Out of the 10+ times I have used it, my boarder-​crossing time probably averages around 5 minutes.

This bridge is the best thing ever. Why did I never use it until now? My post office is right across the street from it on Whirlpool and I’ve had Nexus for years. Plus, I had no idea you could use it to re-​enter Canada even if you have items to declare. And groceries are tax exempt! All those hours wasted at the Rainbow for naught.

Shhhhhhhhh, don’t tell anyone about this… I want it all to myself :-) Load up your NEXUS card with some cash for bridge toll Canada bound (can be done here on USA side) and border transit just doesn’t get any smoother.

Get a Nexus! It is the best thing I have ever done

As a regular traveler between the US and Canada, I’d thought about applying for a NEXUS card for years. I was just always too lazy to get around to it. Well I finally did get around to it and couldn’t be happier!!! Not only does it usually make the interrogations when crossing simpler, it also often offers holders a designated lane with less wait. But even better for those of us crossing at the falls … NEXUS card holders get their very own bridge!!! Amazing!!! Absolutely the best $ 50 I’ve ever spent! I just can’t believe how much time I wasted prior to getting the card. Grrrrr.