April 2, 2014 Fort Erie, Ontario Canada Border Services Agency
Today the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (PBA) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Southern Ontario Region officially announced the joint installation of new variable message signage units at the Peace Bridge Canada Customs Plaza.
This signage will provide clear instructions to Canada-bound automobiles regarding available CBSA primary inspection lanes and greater flexibility for trusted traveller (NEXUS) configurations. In addition, the signage will offer instantaneous or “click of a button” updating from CBSA port supervisor consoles, allowing the plaza to make rapid adjustments to real-time traffic situations and queuing patterns.
Quick Facts
- Fifteen colour variable message signs were installed at the Peace Bridge Canada Customs Plaza.
- Design of the project was initiated in 2013, with site construction completed in March 2014.
- The signs were produced by Daktronics and installation was coordinated by PBA and CBSA, with the assistance of Parsons Corporation, Black Creek Metal Inc., and Sam Young Electric.
- The total cost of the project was $800,000 and was covered through a cost-sharing agreement between PBA and CBSA.
- The signs are able to showcase over thirty different informational messages, including closure notices, specific vehicle-type directions (bus, recreational vehicle, auto), and many other basic communications.
Quotes
“These signs make it much, much easier for motorists to determine which inspection lanes are open at the Peace Bridge. They also provide an aesthetic update for the plaza that, unlike past static-lit signage, will be really hard to miss.”
Ron Rienas, PBA General Manager
“The new variable message signs at the Peace Bridge are a nice improvement and a useful tool to assist CBSA officers in doing their jobs of providing border security, while moving legitimate trade and travel more effectively. The signage will help reduce wait times by guiding travellers toward available lanes, thereby reducing the lag times we sometimes experience between vehicle inspections.”
Rick Comerford, CBSA Regional Director General, Southern Ontario
Associated Links
Images of the new variable message signs are available via www.peacebridge.com
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Contacts
Southern Ontario Communications
CBSA-ASFC_SouthernOntarioRegionNews@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
844-580-5995
Matt Davison, Director of Communications
Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority
mnd@peacebridge.com
905-994-3677