Federal Government Delivers Up To $62 Million For Improvements To Queenston Plaza At Queenston-Lewiston Bridge Crossing
NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE — The Government of Canada and the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission are pleased to announce funding for the second phase of the redevelopment of the Queenston Plaza at the Queenston-Lewiston border crossing.
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Ms. Janice Thomson, chair of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC), today announced funding for several improvements to the bridge complex and facilities. Contributions to this cost-sharing initiative include up to $62 million from the Government of Canada and $12.9 million from the NFBC.
Phase One of the redevelopment commenced in March 2007 and entailed the construction of new toll, parking and commercial inspection facilities. Phase Two includes the construction of a commercial vehicle secondary inspection warehouse, additional passenger primary inspection lanes, a new central building for the Canada Border Services Agency, a new animal inspection facility and the installation of a wall to separate traffic bound for Canada and for the United States.
“The Queenston-Lewiston border crossing is a priority for the Government of Canada and benefits the Niagara region, this province and Canada as a whole,” said Minister Nicholson. “Our government’s funding for this project will help maintain the competitive position of this important border crossing and trade gateway to the United States.”
“The Queenston Plaza initiative is a critical component of the rebuilding of the Queenston-Lewiston border crossing, the most significant project that the Bridge Commission has undertaken in recent history,” said Ms. Thomson. “We believe that the complete rebuilding of the Queenston Plaza complex is of vital importance to the binational trade relationship between Canada and the U.S., and to the expansion of trade in the future.”
She added, “We are pleased that the Government of Canada shares our commitment to building infrastructure that supports efficient movement of commercial and passenger traffic at the border. Today’s announcement continues the successful partnership between our agencies and reflects the responsiveness of the government to the critical need for substantial improvements in infrastructure.”
The Queenston-Lewiston bridge is the fourth-busiest Canada-United States commercial and land border crossing. In 2007, bridge traffic accounted for approximately 920,000 two-way commercial vehicle crossings, or approximately 2,500 commercial vehicles per day, representing Canada’s fourth-busiest commercial border crossing. Improving the existing plaza will allow the NFBC to take advantage of additional capacity provided by the recently constructed fifth bridge lane.
This project is funded under the $33-billion Building Canada plan through the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund. Building Canada, which will support a stronger, safer and better country, was established to provide long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet infrastructure needs across Canada.
The $2.1-billion Gateways and Border Crossings Fund works to improve the flow of goods and people between Canada and the rest of the world and is a key element of this government’s Building Canada infrastructure plan.
Federal financial support for the expansion of the Queenston Plaza is conditional on the initiative meeting all applicable federal eligibility requirements under the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund, a federal due diligence review of the project and meeting all other federal requirements, such as an environmental assessment required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the signing of a contribution agreement for the project.
For more information on the Building Canada infrastructure plan, visit www.buildingcanada.gc.ca.
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