Strengthening security and improving travel and trade across the Canada-United States border
8 January 2010 St. Stephen, New Brunswick
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today officially opened the new St. Stephen Port of Entry facility in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. Construction of the new facility, located at the new international bridge between St. Stephen and Calais, Maine, is now complete. Travellers can now expect reduced border congestion, strengthened security and improved customs capacity at this vital Canada-United States border crossing.
“The St. Stephen border crossing is a critical link between Atlantic Canada and the northeastern United States. This new facility will strengthen security and ensure more efficient movement of people and goods along this important international trade corridor,” said Prime Minister Harper. “By enhancing this border crossing, we are supporting the future economic growth of New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada.”
The new facility, along with the international bridge and new dedicated lanes for commercial traffic, will ease congestion and allow commercial and passenger vehicles to be processed more quickly. Previously, commercial trucks had to travel through the downtown core of St. Stephen, causing congestion and delays.
The new facility consists of two main buildings – one for processing travellers and their goods and one for processing commercial goods. The facility includes a tertiary examination garage and a service building with hazardous material storage. It also features new technologies such as contraband detection equipment. Constructed of natural and recycled materials, the building is also energy-efficient and meets enhanced environmental standards.
This investment is part of the Government of Canada and the Government of New Brunswick's efforts to improve public infrastructure in the region. The governments have also provided funding for the construction of the Canadian section of the international bridge as well as road improvements, including a new four-lane highway between St. Stephen and Waweig.
This new facility is one in a series of investments from the Government of Canada and the Government of New Brunswick leading to the completion of the first new border crossing to the United States in Atlantic Canada in 30 years.
