QUEENSTON, ONTARIO – Construction has begun on the rehabilitation of the Canadian Plaza at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge.  When completed the new Plaza will reduce border congestion and improve customs capacity at the vital Canada-U.S. border.

“The Queenston-Lewiston border crossing has played an important role throughout Canada’s history.  Through this investment, it will be better positioned to play an equally important role in our country’s future,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who toured the construction site today.  “This project means more jobs for local workers today.  It will also ensure that Queenston will build on its position as a vital access point for continental trade.”

The construction currently underway is part of the second phase of improvements to the Canadian Plaza.  It will include the construction of additional passenger and bus primary inspection lanes; commercial vehicle warehouse inspection facilities; passenger vehicle and bus inspection facilities; an animal inspection facility; and a new central building for the Canada Border Services Agency and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Earlier in the day the Prime Minister joined Minister of Justice and Attorney General Rob Nicholson in visiting the construction site of the new Niagara Convention and Civic Centre.  When completed the convention centre will further enhance the position of Niagara Falls as a major convention destination.  It is expected that the facility will attract approximately 500,000 visitors per year and create well-paid jobs in the Niagara Region.

“This new convention centre will help build on the established reputation of Niagara Falls as a major destination for the convention business, and it will create numerous spin-off benefits for the local economy,” said the Prime Minister.  “It is the kind of long-term investment that the people of the Niagara Region deserve to see.”


Backgrounder

QUEENSTON-LEWISTON BRIDGE

The Queenston-Lewiston Bridge is the fourth-busiest Canada-U.S. commercial land border crossing and a key component of the Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway and Trade Corridor.  In 2007, bridge traffic included 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 was completed in December 2008.  It consisted of the construction of 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 from idling vehicles.

Additional features, such as a wall to separate Canada-bound and U.S.-bound traffic, will improve 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.

The total cost of Phase Two is estimated at $76.5 million with the Government of Canada contributing up to $62 million and the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission contributing the remainder.

The federal investment in Phase Two was funded through the Harper Government’s $2.1-billion Gateways and Border Crossings Fund, which was developed to improve the flow of goods and people between Canada and the rest of the world. This fund provides support for transportation infrastructure and related initiatives, and to develop and exploit Canada's strategic gateways, trade corridors and border crossings.