FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:      

December 10, 2015

For further information contact:

Matt Davison

716.604.7772
matt@martingroupmarketing.com

No Tolls at Area Bridges on Christmas Holiday

Lewiston-Queenston, Rainbow and Whirlpool bridge crossings to offer travel free of charge

 

LEWISTON, NY – Today the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC) announced that it will not charge tolls in celebration of the Christmas holiday.

The toll-free period will be in effect for 24 hours, beginning at 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2015 and ending at 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2015 for the Lewiston-Queenston, Rainbow and Whirlpool bridge crossings.

“It is our pleasure to forgo toll collection as a gift to Canadian and American travelers,” said Lew Holloway, general manager of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. “We’re also happy to do so as a gesture of gratitude to our employees for another year of hard work. The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission and its partners are looking forward to a wonderful 2016.”

About the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission:

A Joint Resolution of the 1938 U.S. Congressional Third Session created the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission The Extra Provincial Corporations Act of the Province of Ontario, Canada licenses the NFBC. Canada and the U.S. are equally represented on the NFBC by an eight-member Board of Commissioners. Initially established to finance, construct and operate the Rainbow Bridge, the Commission proved sufficiently efficient and effective to assume responsibilities for the Whirlpool Rapids (Lower) and Lewiston-Queenston Bridges. The NFBC builds and maintains all facilities for Customs and Immigration functions on both sides of the international border. The NFBC is self-supportive, largely through user fees (tolls) and private-sector tenant leases. NFBC is federally chartered to conduct international commercial financial transactions and issue federal (U.S.) tax-exempt bonds.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
June 26, 2015
For further information contact:
Matt Davison, Media Contact
716.604.7772,
mdavison@martingroupmarketing.com

$4.5M Renovation of Rainbow Bridge Bus Inspection Facility Complete
Construction project will improve operational functionality of border crossing

LEWISTON, NY – Today the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC) announced that construction work related to the renovation of the Rainbow Bridge Canadian plaza bus processing facility has been completed. This project encompassed a series of infrastructure enhancements, additional bus queuing and processing space, exterior canopy modifications, relocation of existing boilers, shifting of the Canada-bound Currency Exchange, and additional secondary inspection parking capacity.

“This $4.5 million expansion enhances the overall bridge capacity and Canada Border Services Agency’s ability to efficiently process the many motor coaches that cross the Rainbow Bridge into Niagara Falls, Canada on a daily basis,” said NFBC Chair Kathleen Neville. “The expansion and enhancements to the bus inspection area were critically important to the hotels, restaurants, wineries and the Niagara Parks, which rely heavily on visitors to support their operations and the local economy.”

The Rainbow Bridge now joins the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, just 7.7 mi/12.4 km north along the Lower Niagara River, in offering state-of-the-art bus and motor coach processing capabilities for Canada-bound traffic.

“I would like to thank the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission for providing the Canada Border Services Agency with this state of the art facility to process buses at the Rainbow Bridge,” said Rick Comerford, Regional Director General, Southern Ontario Region, Canada Border Services Agency. “This new facility will allow CBSA to provide more efficient service to our clients and better support trade and tourism while maintaining the safety and security of Canadians.”

During the Rainbow Bridge Canadian plaza bus processing area renovation, temporary bus inspection facilities were installed. The Rainbow Bridge continued to accept Canada-bound buses and motor coaches throughout the construction period.

Bus and motor coach companies were notified of the construction project and availability of temporary processing facilities at the Rainbow Bridge both through online communications and direct engagement. The Commission thanks these partners for their ongoing cooperation.

About the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission:
A Joint Resolution of the 1938 U.S. Congressional Third Session created the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission The Extra Provincial Corporations Act of the Province of Ontario, Canada licenses the NFBC. Canada and the U.S. are equally represented on the NFBC by an eight-member Board of Commissioners. Initially established to finance, construct and operate the Rainbow Bridge, the Commission proved sufficiently efficient and effective to assume responsibilities for the Whirlpool Rapids (Lower) and Lewiston-Queenston Bridges. The NFBC builds and maintains all facilities for Customs and Immigration functions on both sides of the international border. The NFBC is self-supportive, largely through user fees (tolls) and private-sector tenant leases. NFBC is federally chartered to conduct international commercial financial transactions and issue federal (U.S.) tax-exempt bonds.

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Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
5365 Military Road, Lewiston, NY 14092
P.O. Box 395, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6T8
Phone: 905-354-5641 or 716-285-6322
Fax: 716-282-3292 or 905-354-6644

http://www.niagarafallsbridges.com/ Twitter: @NiagaraBridges

   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 23, 2015
For further information contact:
Matt Davison, md@amdgpublicaffairs.com
716.604.7772

 

PEACE BRIDGE AUTHORITY AND NIAGARA FALLS BRIDGE COMMISSION COLLABORATE TO REDUCE BUS CONGESTION
New advanced data entry program available for motor coaches

BUFFALO, NY/FORT ERIE, ON – Today the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (PBA) and Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC) – in conjunction with respective border agencies – announced the implementation of the Buffalo Niagara “Border Planner” program, which will help coordinate advanced port arrival data for charter buses, tours, and motor coaches traveling the region’s border crossings through a new online portal service.

“In looking at ways to make the border crossing experience more reliable for buses and charters, we identified the inability to accurately forecast bus traffic as a factor that is limiting processing efficiency,” said PBA General Manager Ron Rienas.  “As a result, the Buffalo Niagara Border Planner will offer an easy to use online portal and scheduling tool that allows companies to voluntarily alert bridge operators and border services agencies of their impending trip and approximate arrival time at area bridge crossings.”

“By knowing approximately how many buses are scheduled to arrive at the border each day, as well as the general time and how many passengers will be onboard, border services agencies can make efforts to ensure that appropriate staffing levels are in place to handle this influx of travelers in an expeditious manner,” said NFBC General Manager Lew Holloway. “In better forecasting daily bus arrivals, there will be time savings and an improved border crossing experience for all involved.”

The Buffalo Niagara “Border Planner’” program will help alleviate bus and motor coach congestion at the border by coordinating the arrival times of participating companies. Other advanced trip data will also be made available to Customs agencies, including number and citizenship of passengers. Such information sharing will assist Customs in adjusting staffing at bus processing facilities for maximum efficiency, thereby reducing traffic congestion, and saving time for travelers. Participation is voluntary and highly encouraged.

Several regional motor coach associations have been contacted regarding the new program, such as the Ontario Motor Coach Association, the Bus Association of New York State, and others.

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www.borderplanner.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2015
Contact:
Lew Holloway, General Manager
716.285.6322, ext. 4151 or 905.354.5641, ext. 4151

 

NIAGARA FALLS BRIDGE COMMISSION ELECTS 2015 OFFICERS

Kathleen L. Neville is elected Chair

LEWISTON, NEW YORK – The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC), the bi-national entity that owns and operates the Rainbow, Whirlpool Rapids and Lewiston-Queenston Bridges between Canada and the United States, elected its 2015 slate of officers during the Commission’s Annual General Meeting. Kathleen L. Neville of the State of New York was elected Chairperson and Kenneth E. Loucks of the Province of Ontario was elected Vice-Chairperson. In addition, Russell G. Quarantello of the State of New York was elected Secretary and Linda L. McAusland of the Province of Ontario was elected Treasurer. Frank Soda of the State of New York, Janice A. Thomson of the Province of Ontario, Harry R. Palladino of the State of New York, and Ernest K. Smith of the Province of Ontario, comprise the other members of the NFBC board.

U.S. Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the Governor of the State of New York, and Canadian Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the Premier of the Province of Ontario. All officers hold their respective office for one-year until the next annual meeting, unless the Commission deems a change is necessary.

Appointed to the Commission in March 2012, Ms. Kathleen Neville, a resident of Wilson, New York, is a public relations professional. Ms. Neville previously served as senior vice president at Hill and Knowlton Public Relations International in New York City and as a senior consultant at Ketchum Public Relations in Washington, D.C. She is a former managing director of Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo and the author of several non-fiction books and articles on conduct in today’s workplaces, schools and sports. She also serves on the board of directors of the New York Council for the Humanities. A past television and radio broadcaster, Ms. Neville obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a graduate teaching fellowship in English/Communications from Niagara University where she will also receive a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies this May.

Dr. Kenneth Loucks, a resident of Sauble Beach, Ontario, and formerly of St. Catharines, Ontario, was appointed to the Commission in April 2006, and served as Chairperson in 2010. Dr. Loucks is Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Business, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, and the holder of HBA, MBA and PhD degrees from the Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario. His career in education encompasses appointments at two secondary schools and three universities in Ontario and two adjunct appointments in Australia. He is a specialist in entrepreneurship and business strategy. Throughout his career, Dr. Loucks has maintained an active management consulting practice. He has served as well as a consultant to bilateral and multilateral development agencies in small enterprise creation and economic development programming with assignments in over 30 countries. During his career he has served on numerous public and private sector boards and commissions.

Immediate past Chairperson Mr. Ernest Smith was appointed to the Commission in November 2009.  He is a resident of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and is retired from Canada Immigration after more than 31 years of service with experience in such areas as enforcement, operations and intelligence. Since retiring, Mr. Smith has been contracted by the International Region of Citizenship & Immigration Canada to work as a visa officer in England, Hong Kong, Trinidad, Saudi Arabia and the United States. Mr. Smith, a graduate of Stamford C.I., holds a B.A. from Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfrid Laurier University) in Ontario, and a Master’s degree from Niagara University in New York State.

Mr. Quarantello was appointed to the Commission in March 2012 and resides in Lewiston, New York. He currently serves as the Business Manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #237. Mr. Quarantello is a master electrician who has worked for numerous electric contractors over the years, including the Carborundum Co., Viatran Corp., and the U.S. Small Business Administration. He was elected to his position as the union local’s principal officer in 2007.

Appointed to the Commission in March 2012, Mr. Frank Soda retired in 2010 after a 41-year teaching career. He resides in Niagara Falls, New York, and holds a BA and MA from Niagara University and an MS from Buffalo State College. He taught at Niagara Falls High School for 23 years and is also an adjunct at Erie Community College and Niagara University. A former Niagara Falls City Council member, twice, he also served on the Love Canal Area Revitalization Agency.

Ms. Janice A. Thomson, a resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, was appointed to the Commission in April 2006 and has previously served as Secretary, following two years as Chairperson (2007 and 2008). She was actively involved in the reconstruction of the Queenston Plaza, serving as liaison between the Board of Commissioners and the Design and Construction Team, accountable to the Federal Government as Project Co-Chair. She presently occupies the position of Executive Director of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau, and previously held executive management positions at the national offices of Jaguar Canada and BMW Canada over an 18-year period. Ms. Thomson also serves as Chair of the Niagara Parks Commission, a board member of the Niagara Foundation and board member of the Toronto 2015 PanAm/ParapanAm Games, and serves on many tourism-related committees within Niagara.

Appointed to the Commission in March of 2014, Mr. Harry R. Palladino, a resident of Gasport, New York, currently serves as the Business Manager of Laborers’ Local 91, and has served in various positions throughout his extensive career with the organization. He is also the owner/operator of Palladino Paving and Construction.

Ms. Linda L. McAusland, a resident of Welland, Ontario, was appointed to the Commission in February of 2014. Ms. McAusland is currently the Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Administrative Officer for the Ontario Ministry of Transportation where she provides leadership for Human Resources, Financial Planning, Controllership, Facilities, Emergency Management, Procurement and Freedom of Information. Commissioner McAusland has previously served on the Board of Directors for the McMaster Institute of Transportation Logistics, Canadian Transportation Research Forum and the North American Strategy for Competitiveness. She has her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo and has attended the Public Executive Program at Queen’s University and the Executive Leadership Program at the Niagara Institute.

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About the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission:
A Joint Resolution of the 1938 U.S. Congressional Third Session created the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. The Extra Provincial Corporations Act of the Province of Ontario, Canada licenses the NFBC. Canada and the U.S. are equally represented on the NFBC by an eight-member Board of Commissioners.  Initially established to finance, construct and operate the Rainbow Bridge, the Commission proved sufficiently efficient and effective to assume responsibilities for the Whirlpool Rapids (Lower) and Lewiston-Queenston Bridges.  The NFBC builds and maintains all facilities for Customs and Immigration functions on both sides of the international border. The NFBC is self-supportive, largely through user fees (tolls) and private-sector tenant leases. NFBC is federally chartered to conduct international commercial financial transactions and issue federal (U.S.) tax-exempt bonds.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 6, 2014
For further information contact:
Matt Davison, Media Contact
716.604.7772, md@amdgpublicaffairs.com

Whirlpool-Rapids Bridge Reopens to Canada-Bound Traffic on Oct. 10th
Construction of second CBSA inspection lane at NEXUS-only crossing set for completion

LEWISTON, NY – Today the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC) announced that the Whirlpool-Rapids International Bridge crossing will reopen to Canada-bound traffic at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, October 10th, 2014, following the successful construction of a second primary inspection booth for Canada-bound traffic.

The Whirlpool-Rapids International Bridge facility upgrade, which began in early-September 2014, was undertaken to increase overall processing capacity at the crossing. The bridge has recently experienced rapid increases in traffic usage and wait times, due to the popularity of the NEXUS trusted travel program.

“Based on the Commission’s continuous efforts to streamline and improve the border crossing experience, we are pleased to see this project completed, and believe it will help ensure that the benefits of the NEXUS program are fully realized for Whirlpool Bridge users,” said Niagara Falls Bridge Commission General Manager Lew Holloway. “Our goal with this project was to increase processing efficiency by providing Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) with added space to work and inspect vehicles.”

During the facility upgrade, the Whirlpool-Rapids International Bridge was closed to all Canada-bound vehicles with traffic re-routed to the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, and NEXUS lane hours at the Queenston plaza were extended to minimize the inconvenience to NEXUS users. The lane hours at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge will now return to standard schedule. For more information regarding NEXUS lane hours at NFBC bridge crossings, click here.

“We want to again thank NEXUS program members for their patience during the construction period and for dealing with the detour arrangement,” continued Holloway.

Whirlpool-Rapids International Bridge users and area NEXUS program members are being notified of the reopening of Canada-bound traffic through online communications and the removal of crossing closure signage. Motorists are also being educated on the reopening through outreach conducted by the NEXUS Niagara marketing campaign.

About the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission:
A Joint Resolution of the 1938 U.S. Congressional Third Session created the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. The Extra Provincial Corporations Act of the Province of Ontario, Canada licenses the NFBC.  Canada and the U.S. are equally represented on the NFBC by an eight-member Board of Commissioners.  Initially established to finance, construct and operate the Rainbow Bridge, the Commission proved sufficiently efficient and effective to assume responsibilities for the Whirlpool Rapids (Lower) and Lewiston-Queenston Bridges.  The NFBC builds and maintains all facilities for Customs and Immigration functions on both sides of the international border. The NFBC is self-supportive, largely through user fees (tolls) and private-sector tenant leases. NFBC is federally chartered to conduct international commercial financial transactions and issue federal (U.S.) tax-exempt bonds.

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Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
5365 Military Road, Lewiston, NY 14092
P.O. Box 395, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6T8
Phone: 905-354-5641 or 716-285-6322
Fax: 716-282-3292 or 905-354-6644

□ http://www.niagarafallsbridges.com/ □ Twitter: @NiagaraBridges □