Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority's new administration building officially opens

September 29, 2006

FORT ERIE — The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Mr. Paul Koessler, Chairman, Peace Bridge Authority, today officially opened the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority’s new administration building at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie. Total cost for the administration building is valued at approximately $7 million.

The Peace Bridge is Canada’s second busiest border crossing, handling 6 million cars and 1.3 million trucks in 2005.

“This Peace Bridge project is a part of the Government of Canada’s overall strategy to ensure the country has modern infrastructure that supports economic growth,” said Minister Cannon. “Through the Border Infrastructure Fund, the Government of Canada works with provincial and municipal governments, as well as with the private sector, to meet strategic infrastructure needs throughout the country. These projects demonstrate the Government of Canada’s commitment to developing efficient, safe and secure border crossings.”

“The construction of this building is critical to the operation of the Peace Bridge. It allowed us to reconfigure both the U.S. and Canadian plazas to better serve both commercial traffic and travellers while at the same time allowing us to consolidate our operations in one location,” said Mr. Koessler.

The Government of Canada, in partnership with the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, are nearing the completion of the projects included in the Canada/Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority Border Infrastructure Fund Agreement. The projects are valued at $50 million, of which $21 million will be contributed by the federal government.

This project has included security and technology enhancements at the bridge, as well as the construction of a FAST (Free and Secure Trade) by-pass lane and of a temporary staging area. Toll booths have been moved from the U.S. to Canada, freeing up space in the congested U.S. plaza in order to process truck traffic more efficiently. Existing customs and immigration facilities are being relocated in order to free up space on the Canadian side of the border to improve traffic flow and safety, and reduce lineups on the bridge. Additionally, a new refugee centre and a new administration building are being constructed.

The Government of Canada’s investment comes from the $600-million Border Infrastructure Fund, which is designed to contribute to projects that reduce border congestion, improve the flow of goods and services, and expand infrastructure capacity.

The $600-million Border Infrastructure Fund is a comprehensive approach towards sustaining and increasing the long-term safety and efficiency of the Canada-U.S. border. It encompasses physical infrastructure, intelligent transportation systems, and helps support analytical capacity, which will provide analysts with better information on border issues as they pertain to congestion.

All projects funded under the Border Infrastructure Fund are subject to the relevant approval requirements under federal and provincial legislation, including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet with more information on the Border Infrastructure Fund is attached.

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