Peace Bridge Webcam – Buffalo to Fort Erie Border Traffic

The Peace Bridge Webcam follows traffic across the Niagara River between Buffalo, New York, and Fort Erie, Ontario, where the road crosses the border between the United States and Canada. The main camera sits high above the deck and looks west along the bridge toward Canada: three lanes edged by green railings and lamp posts, a fenced sidewalk on the south side, open river on both flanks and the Canadian plaza at the far end. Four more tabs cover the U.S. inspection plaza in Buffalo, the Canadian inspection lanes in Fort Erie, the Queen Elizabeth Way and the Canada-bound truck yard. The view can swing from an almost empty deck at midday to cars and trucks stacked back along the span in late afternoon.

About the Peace Bridge

The Peace Bridge opened to traffic on June 1, 1927, and was formally dedicated on August 7 that year. It was named to mark 100 years of peace between the United States and Canada. The crossing runs about 1.77 kilometers (5,800 feet) from end to end. Five steel arches carry it over the Niagara River, and a Parker deck truss takes it over the Black Rock Canal on the American side. The arches sit beneath the roadway, out of the deck camera’s sight.

The bridge is run by the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, a binational body that is both a public benefit corporation of New York State and a federal Crown corporation in Canada. Three lanes cross the deck, and the middle one is switched between directions to follow the heavier flow. On the Canadian side the Queen Elizabeth Way begins at the border, while in Buffalo Interstate 190 has a direct northbound exit, exit 9, onto the bridge. People on foot and on bikes may cross as well, and they clear customs at the plazas like everyone else.

U.S. Inspection Plaza looks over the Buffalo plaza, where the approach lanes fan out toward a long row of inspection booths. CND Inspection shows the Canadian primary inspection lanes in Fort Erie, with cars and trucks lining up toward the booths under a canopy. The QEW tab watches the Queen Elizabeth Way on the Fort Erie side, the route that US-bound drivers take toward the Canadian duty free shop and the bridge. CND Truck Inspection looks over the yard where Canada-bound trailers are checked, beside a row of low warehouse buildings.

Weather and Climate at the Peace Bridge

The bridge stands where Lake Erie drains into the Niagara River, and the lake sets the weather. The 1991 to 2020 normals for Buffalo Niagara International Airport put January highs around 0 C (32 F) and lows near -7 C (19 F). Buffalo averages about 242 centimeters (95 inches) of snow a year, much of it from lake-effect bands that form off Lake Erie, and where those bands land depends on the wind direction off the lake.

April highs reach about 13 C (55 F), with lows near 3 C (37 F). In summer, southwest breezes off Lake Erie take the edge off the heat, and July averages highs of 27 C (80 F) with nights around 17 C (63 F). Autumn is the most colorful season on the main camera. October highs sit near 15 C (60 F), and the trees along the Fort Erie shore turn red and orange behind the Canadian plaza. Rain can bead on the lenses, so a blurry tab in a storm usually sharpens once the weather moves through.

Things to Do Near the Peace Bridge

On the Canadian side, Old Fort Erie stands about 2.3 kilometers (1.4 miles) south of the bridge on Lakeshore Road. American troops held the fort through a British siege in the late summer of 1814, then destroyed it and withdrew on November 5 that year. The Niagara Parks Commission restored it to its 1814 appearance between 1937 and 1939, and the rebuilt barracks, officers’ quarters, mess hall and infirmary are the heart of the museum today. The fort also marks the start of the Niagara Parkway, which runs 55 kilometers (34.2 miles) north to Niagara-on-the-Lake. The 53 kilometer (33 mile) Niagara River Recreation Trail follows it for walkers and cyclists, passing Niagara Falls along the way.

On the American side, Front Park lies about 700 meters (0.4 miles) southeast of the bridge in Buffalo’s West Side, and Buffalo City Hall on Niagara Square is roughly 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) away. West of Fort Erie along the Lake Erie shore, Port Colborne is where ships enter the Welland Canal on their way around Niagara Falls toward Lake Ontario.

Similar Webcams You Might Like

More views from the Niagara region and from other big bridges on the site:

• Port Colborne Webcam
• Buffalo Webcam
• Confederation Bridge Webcam

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Peace Bridge located?

The Peace Bridge crosses the Niagara River between Buffalo, New York, and Fort Erie, Ontario, at the eastern end of Lake Erie where the river begins.

What can you see on the Peace Bridge Webcam?

The main view looks west along the deck toward Canada, with the Niagara River on both sides, a fenced sidewalk on the left and the Canadian plaza at the far end. The tabs add the U.S. inspection plaza in Buffalo, the Canadian inspection lanes, the Queen Elizabeth Way in Fort Erie and the Canada-bound truck inspection yard.

Does the Peace Bridge Webcam show border wait times?

No. The cameras show the lines, not a number. Official wait estimates are published online by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Canada Border Services Agency.

Is this the Peace Bridge in Calgary?

No. This page shows the Peace Bridge between Buffalo and Fort Erie on the Niagara River. Calgary’s Peace Bridge is a footbridge for pedestrians and cyclists over the Bow River in Alberta, about 2,800 kilometers (1,700 miles) to the west. For a live view of that city, try the Calgary Webcam.

Is the Peace Bridge closed today?

The Canada Bound camera is the quickest check: cars moving along the deck mean the crossing is open. If the deck stays empty at a normally busy hour, look for an update from the bridge authority before setting out.

Do you pay a toll on the Peace Bridge?

Only when heading into Canada. The bridge collects its toll from Canada-bound traffic, and drivers entering the United States pay nothing to cross. E-ZPass is accepted as well as card payment.

What is the weather like at the Peace Bridge?

Winters are cold and snowy, with January highs near 0 C (32 F) and about 242 centimeters (95 inches) of snow a year in Buffalo. July highs average around 27 C (80 F), and October brings highs near 15 C (60 F).

Can you see Niagara Falls or the Rainbow Bridge from this camera?

No. Both are about 24 kilometers (15 miles) downstream in a straight line. The Rainbow Bridge crosses the river just below the falls, linking Niagara Falls, New York, with Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Source: Peace Bridge Authority