Windsor, Ontario - Rail cargo security at Canada’s busiest border crossing will be further increased thanks to investments by the Government of Canada and Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). The Honourable John Godfrey, Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities), the Honourable Jean C. Lapierre, Minister of Transport, and Rob Ritchie, President and Chief Executive Officer of CPR, today announced a joint investment of over $8 million to secure a 7.5-km CPR rail corridor from Walker Road in Windsor to the U.S. border. This will be accomplished by protecting that length of track and &preparing the site for the installation, by the U.S. government, of a Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS). This is a state-of-the-art security system designed for rail cargo inspection. The VACIS system will be used to scan contents of freight cars and containers as trains roll by slowly. “The Windsor Gateway is the busiest international trade corridor in North America and Canada’s single largest border crossing point for trade and traffic with the United States. The Government of Canada remains committed to a safe and secure border, and projects like this one contribute to this objective,” stated Minister Godfrey. “We continue to work with our colleagues in the U.S. and our partners here in Canada to deliver improved security measures through investments in border infrastructure.” “Securing our border in Windsor is essential to the continued movement of goods to the United States,” said Minister Lapierre. “The security of this rail corridor in Windsor and application of this technology are essential and will continue to improve our good relations with our biggest trading partner to the south.” “Trans-border movement of goods remains a critically important and growing aspect of the Canadian economy,” Mr. Ritchie said. “This is also true regarding CPR’s cross-border service. No border location is more critical to trade than the Windsor-Detroit crossing, which includes the Detroit River rail tunnel. Our funding partnership will ensure that this essential rail traffic remains safe and secure, while maintaining fluid trade flow, with fewer interruptions and shorter delays. This is a good thing for U.S.-Canada trade relations, as well as the freight industry as a whole.” The Windsor location is unique and distinct from other rail crossings with a requirement for tailored solutions. The location of the CPR line, which runs under the Detroit River through a tunnel, makes it impractical to install the VACIS facility at the precise border point on either side of the river. Because of the distance of the VACIS facility from the border and the particularities of this rail border crossing, extensive security measures are required. The Government of Canada and CPR have each committed up to $4.12 million to secure the 7.5-km rail corridor leading to the border and to prepare the site on the rail right of way, east of Walker Road, in Windsor, for the installation of the VACIS system. Infrastructure investments will include the installation of state-of-the-art surveillance technology stretching from the Walker Road site to the portal of the Detroit River rail tunnel and fencing to secure the site. It will also include track reconfigurations, and signal and communications modifications. These improvements will create a secure zone through which scanned trains can proceed into the United States. The VACIS system is an effective, safe and flexible means of detection. It scans the contents of freight cars as trains roll by at no more than 7 to 10 km per hour, causing minimal disruption to the flow of goods at border crossing inspection stations. A one-mile long train can be scanned in about 10 minutes. VACIS technology is already in use at other Canada-U.S. border crossings on CPR rail lines. CPR has absorbed the entire cost of associated necessary investments at Rouses Point, New York; Noyes, Minnesota; and Portal, North Dakota. These investments include new rail sidings, siding extensions and buildings to house operations and security equipment. The federal government’s contribution to this project comes from the Border Infrastructure Fund (BIF), which is helping improve some of the busiest Canada-United States border crossings so vital for the economic growth and prosperity of the country. The $600 million BIF supports the initiatives in the Smart Borders Action Plan by reducing border congestion, increasing safety and security, and expanding infrastructure capacity over the medium term. All projects are subject to federal requirements under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Contacts: Carla Ventin Office of the Minister of State (Infrastructure and Communities) (613) 948-2688 Irène Marcheterre Office of the Federal Minister of Transport (613) 991-0700 Paul Thurston Canadian Pacific Railway (416) 595-3032 Infrastructure Canada (613) 948-1148 BACKGROUNDER Security Infrastructure Investment On December 12, 2001, the governments of Canada and the United States signed the Smart Border Accord, a 30-point action plan to jointly identify and address security risks while at the same time securing and expanding legitimate trade across the Canada-U.S. Border. In April 2003, a Declaration of Principles (DOP) was signed between the Canadian and U.S. governments along with Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and Canadian National Railway (CN) to confirm the installation of VACIS systems at key border crossings where the two railways operate. The VACIS systems, installed and operated by the U.S. government, will be located on the U.S. side of the border, except in Sarnia and Windsor, given the unique circumstances of these two locations. The United States is responsible for the purchase and provision of the VACIS systems, along with installation costs and operating expenses associated with the systems. The railways are paying for any necessary infrastructure reconfiguration and policing services along the railway. The Windsor location is unique and distinct from the other rail crossings. The location of the CPR line, which runs under the Detroit River through a tunnel, makes it impractical to install the VACIS facility at the precise border point on either side of the river. For example, locating the facility immediately adjacent to the entrance to the tunnel on the Detroit side of the river is not feasible as the slopes of the approaches from the tunnel make it impossible for rail traffic to sustain a constant speed required for the VACIS facility. Due to these location and operational constraints, the VACIS facility will be installed on the CPR right-of-way in Windsor, approximately 7.5 km from the U.S. border. Given this distance, extensive security measures are needed to satisfy the U.S. government’s security requirements. As such, the Canadian government and CPR have agreed to equally fund the necessary infrastructure to secure the rail corridor from the VACIS facility to the U.S. border. Total maximum eligible costs are of up to $8.237 million, with Canada and CPR each contributing up to $4.12 million towards this critical security infrastructure project. CPR will also incur additional costs and on-going expenses in support of this security initiative. Specific elements of the project include engineering design, the installation of a state-of-the-art surveillance system stretching from the VACIS facility to the portal of the Detroit River rail tunnel, security fencing, hydro installation, project management, track reconfiguration and, signals and communications modifications. Prior to construction, CPR will need to fulfil the Environmental Assessment requirement under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. VACIS Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (VACIS) is used to scan shipments safely and in a secure manner with minimal disruption and cost for rail companies, importers and shipping companies while enhancing security at border crossings. VACIS can be used to inspect cars, vans and trucks as well as palleted cargo, freight cars, and air, sea and rail containers. It can be a fixed scanning mechanism, as in the case of the Windsor installation, or placed on a truck, allowing cargo to be scanned as it passes by the machine at low speeds of approximately 7-10 km per hour. A one-mile long train can be scanned in approximately 10 minutes. The system is designed to detect threats, contraband and items that deviate from the shipment manifest, including illegal drugs, illegal immigrants, smuggled goods, radiological materials, weapons and explosives. Border Infrastructure Fund The $600 million Border Infrastructure Fund (BIF) announced in Budget 2001 was created to support the Canada-U.S. Smart Borders Action Plan by reducing border congestion and expanding infrastructure capacity over the medium term. The plan is based on the four pillars of securing the flow of people, goods, and infrastructure as well as information sharing and coordination in the enforcement of these objectives. To date, over $440 million of the BIF has been allocated to projects at five of the top six crossings, as well as crossings in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan. Additional funding has been dedicated to customs facilities at the new crossing at St. Stephen, New Brunswick. Canadian Pacific Railway The VACIS system will be installed and operated by the U.S. government. While most rail traffic through the tunnel is carried by the CPR, other railways also use it. Approximately 450,000 rail cars travel through the gateway annually. Rail is one of the most secure modes of transportation, and Canadian railways have stepped up to the plate to help secure border crossings. CPR’s membership in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) initiative is an example of the railway’s commitment. Improved data gathering and advanced reporting procedures have also helped improve security while minimizing delays. CPR has long been recognized by Canadian and U.S. customs agencies as a safe and secure carrier due to its history of investment in technology focused on the timely and efficient exchange of advance shipment information. CPR has worked extensively with the Association of American Railroads, as well as customs and law enforcement agencies, to enhance railway security. Improved data gathering with customers and advanced reporting to U.S. Customs and Border Protection have kept cross-border traffic flowing smoothly and securely. Heightened security has become a fact of life in the rail industry since September 11, 2001. CPR’s investment in technology has allowed the railway to step up security without compromising train operations.
