No. H 156/08
For release - June 25, 2008
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.
Funding for several improvements to the bridge complex and facilities was announced today by 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). 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.
"Since 2006, our government has taken swift action to improve our border crossings and gateways to enhance the flow of vehicles, people and goods between our country and the rest of the world," said Minister Nicholson. "Today I am proud to announce funding for the Queenston-Lewiston bridge that will relieve traffic congestion, and make the flow of goods and passengers across the border more efficient and secure."
"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.
A backgrounder with further information about the Queenston-Plaza Redevelopment project and the Queenston-Lewiston bridge crossing is attached.
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The Queenston-Lewiston Bridge is the fourth-busiest Canada-U.S. commercial land border crossing, and it is a key component of the Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway and Trade Corridor. In 2007, bridge traffic accounted for approximately 920,000 two-way commercial vehicle crossings, or approximately 2,500 commercial vehicles per day.
A $130-million, multi-phase project to redevelop and expand the Queenston Plaza on the Canadian side of the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge is currently underway. Phase One, totalling $45 million, is nearing completion, and is being funded by the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC). It consists of constructing a new elevated parking structure, a toll complex, commercial primary customs processing, a retaining/security wall to extend the usable plaza footprint and a new maintenance storage facility.
Phase Two improvements to the Queenston Plaza will consist of additional passenger primary inspection lanes, commercial warehouse inspection facilities and commercial toll booths that will allow for more efficient processing of vehicles. Improved efficiency will reduce traffic congestion at this key border crossing and will help reduce air pollution emitted from idling vehicles. Additional features, such as a wall to separate Canada-bound and U.S.-bound traffic, will result in improved security. Phase Two improvements also include a new central building for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). This will provide additional space and improved facilities for CBSA personnel to perform their duties, which will ultimately increase their ability to process commercial and passenger traffic in a timely manner.
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.
The $2.1-billion Gateways and Border Crossings Fund is a merit-based program that was established to help improve the flow of goods and people between Canada and the rest of the world. This fund provides support for transportation infrastructure, and other related initiatives, to develop and exploit Canada's strategic gateways, trade corridors and border crossings. The focus of the program is on nationally significant projects supporting international trade, and efficient and integrated supply chains.
Investments from the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund are guided by the National Policy Framework for Strategic Gateways and Trade Corridors. The National Policy Framework provides focus and direction for strategies that foster the development and exploitation of transportation systems that are key to Canada's most important opportunities in international trade.
The Gateways and Border Crossings Fund is part of the Government of Canada's $33-billion Building Canada plan that will help support a stronger Canadian economy by investing in infrastructure that contributes to increased trade, efficient movement of goods and people, and economic growth.
June 2008
