Windsor-Detroit Tunnel remains open during Grand Prix weekend, motorists encouraged to plan ahead

This weekend a race will take over one of Canada's busiest international border crossings.

Plan ahead if you’re using the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel this week or weekend.

The 2026 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix takes place in downtown Detroit starting on Friday, affecting traffic and the tunnel.

Tal Czudner, the chief executive officer for the tunnel, says it will remain open, but traffic is being re-routed.

“Take the tunnel through, clear customs, turn right,” says Czudner. Getting back from Detroit to Windsor is a tad more complicated. The only route that is available to you is 375, and you just got to make your way through a couple of signs, and then you’ll be able to make a left off of Jefferson, right into the tunnel."

He says it’s gone pretty smooth at the tunnel since the return of the Grand Prix to downtown Detroit.

“Honestly, it isn’t that bad,” he says. “Again, Windsor to Detroit is super easy; not really any change at all. You’re coming back; give yourselves a few extra minutes. It’s actually pretty cool to be right next to the cars when they’re going 230 kilometres an hour and you’re safely going 50 kilometres an hour.”

Czudner says motorists should give themselves a few extra minutes.

“Windsor to Detroit is a piece of cake,” says Czudner. “Detroit Fire, Detroit police and the Grand Prix executives do a nice job from a communications perspective.”

He says some of the road closures are already happening in Detroit and signs are up.

Czudner says it will take a couple of days to clear up the area completely from the Grand Prix.

The event kicks off on Friday and runs until Sunday.