Originally Posted by
tentseller
It only applicable if all passengers in the vehicle are NEXUS holders which rules it out when I am with the family.
You need to get through a seedier part of town of Niagara Falls NY; on the Canadian side you are deposited onto Niagara Parkway, the single lane tourist route which is quite a slow drive to 420 or 405.
If all the passengers are NEXUS card holders then Queenston/Lewiston is just as fast with the new plaza with access to NEXUS lane even with traffic backed up.
I did the L-Q Nexus for the first time this week. It was quick as traffic was light. I deposited a declaration card. At the booth, the guy said "What do you have to declare?....Oops - you deposited a card - just go ahead". So if you don't deposit a declaration card you can obviously now make a verbal declaration.
Whirpool Bridge Route - Don't use the Niagara Parkway. From the QEW exit at Thorold Stone Road and stay on it as it curves and becomes Stanley Avenue. Turn left at next light (Bridge Street), which ends at the bridge by the VIA station (turn right and then go to the entrance. Reverse this to get to the QEW from the bridge - about 10 minutes.
Connection to I-190 in US. After crossing, turn right then left onto NY 182. Carefully follow the signs for NY 182, which meets I-190 at Porter Road. You can stay on 182 to Niagara Falls Boulevard and then follow that road (NY62) for an easy trip to the Buffalo suburbs. To the bridge simply get to NY 182 (exit I-190 Porter Road) and follow it to the bridge. The direct entrance via Ontario Street is currently closed so you wind up one block south. Traffic on I-190 to the LQ often backs up very far so you can't get to the Nexus booth. If there is any chance, exit at Porter Road and go for the Whirlpool. It is overall about 15 minutes longer if there is no traffic on the L-Q but there always seems to be traffic. No more Nexus booth at the Rainbow Bridge so don't bother.