Whirlpool Rapids Bridge

Not to be confused with Whilepool, which is a pool that takes a while to heat up, I suppose. Or to swim across? Speaking of swimming across, I don't recommend swimming across the water beneath this bridge, by any means.

The Whirlpool Bridge is just north of Niagara Falls itself, and is a Nexus-only Bridge, so you can only cross it if you're pre-approved and all that good stuff.

It makes it a much quicker crossing for those who have the credentials.

We are in Love with this bridge and our Nexus Pass, 50 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

I've been crossing the border using this bridge for over 30 years. Crossing into Canada from this bridge using my Nexus card is always smooth sailing. However, crossing into the US is always hit or miss, sometimes the US border agent is decent, other times they drill you with 20 questions, which makes you wonder why you paid the extra cash to get a Nexus card with the background checks in the first place. The bridge is only open to 11:00pm which is far too early, especially when attending a concert or heading to the casino for the evening. It should be open much later, or even 24 hours.

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.

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.

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.

A nice, remarkably tiny bridge near the Falls, a great opportunity for those with the foresight/need for a Nexus Pass, living up the 'rapid' part of its name.

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.

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.