FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 4, 2014
For further information contact:
Matt Davison, Media Contact
716.604.7772, md@amdgpublicaffairs.com

$4.2 Million Renovation of Existing Rainbow Bridge Bus Inspection Facility to Commence on August 18th, 2014
Construction project is intended to improve operational functionality of border crossing

LEWISTON, NY – Today the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC) announced that upcoming construction work related to the renovation of the Rainbow Bridge Canada plaza bus processing facility will begin on August 18th, 2014. This project is expected to wrap-up in May 2015 and will encompass a series of infrastructure improvements and enhancements, including the addition of new floors and processing space, exterior canopy modifications, relocation of existing boilers, shifting of the Canada-bound Currrency Exchange, and additional parking capacity.

“The Rainbow Bridge Canada plaza bus processing renovation effort is intended to upgrade the port in order to better handle the steady stream of tourists and motor coaches that we see on a daily basis,” said Niagara Falls Bridge Commission General Manager Lew Holloway. “By improving our bus inspection area, we will provide added space for enhanced processing efficiency by Canada Border Services Agency, thereby offering travellers a more pleasant and reliable border crossing experience.”
As a result of the impending Rainbow Bridge Canada plaza bus processing area renovation, temporary bus inspection facilities have been installed. While some impacts to the regular processing experience are anticipated, the Rainbow Bridge will continue to accept Canada-bound buses and motor coaches throughout the construction period.

Travellers and charter companies are reminded however that the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, which is located just 7.7 miles/12.4 kilometers to the north along the Lower Niagara River, offers state-of-the-art bus and motor coach processing capabilities for Canada-bound traffic. Buses and motor coaches are advised to consider utilizing the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge for all Canada-bound trips over the duration of the construction project.

No impact to United States-bound bus traffic is expected at the Rainbow Bridge during the construction period.

Bus and motor coach companies are being notified of the construction project and availability of temporary processing facilities at the Rainbow Bridge both through online communications and direct engagement.

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:  JULY 25, 2014

For further information contact:  Matt Davison, Media Contact

PHONE: 716-604-7772

E-Mail: md@amdgpublicaffairs.com

 

Whirlpool-Rapids Bridge Primary Inspection Lane Construction to Result in Canada-Bound Traffic Closure Between Sept. 2nd and Oct. 9th

Plaza upgrade project will enhance current processing capacity at NEXUS-only crossing, while temporarily shifting motorists to Lewiston-Queenston Bridge

 

LEWISTON, NY – Today the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC) announced the upcoming installation of a second primary inspection lane within the Canada plaza at the Whirlpool-Rapids International Bridge crossing. This construction project—scheduled to commence on September 2nd, 2014, and conclude on or before October 9th, 2014—is being undertaken to increase processing capacity at the crossing. The Whirlpool-Rapids Bridge has recently experienced rapid increases in usage and wait times, due to the growing popularity of the NEXUS trusted travel program.

 

“NEXUS traffic at the Whirlpool Bridge has exploded, with a 250% increase in usage over the last five years,” said Niagara Falls Bridge Commission General Manager Lew Holloway. “The installation of an additional inspection lane on the Canada-side of the border will provide Canada Border Services Agency with the processing capacity necessary to keep NEXUS card holders moving and ensure that the benefits of trusted travel are fully realized.”

 

The addition of a second NEXUS booth within the Whirlpool-Rapids Bridge Canada plaza will complement the two American plaza inspection lanes currently in operation.

 

To accommodate the impending facility upgrade, the Whirlpool-Rapids Bridge will be closed to all Canada-bound vehicles with traffic re-routed to the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, which is located 4.6 miles/7.4 kilometers to the north along the Niagara River. NEXUS lane hours at the Queenston plaza will be extended from 7am–11pm on weekdays and weekends (Monday–Sunday). Overhead gantry signage at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge is present to help guide NEXUS card holders toward preferred lanes.

 

United States-bound traffic at the Whirlpool-Rapids Bridge will not be impacted during the construction period. United States-bound traffic at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge may utilize an available NEXUS lane in the Lewiston plaza from 6am–8am on weekdays (Monday–Friday, excluding holidays).

 

“The Commission recognizes that this upcoming construction activity will inconvenience many NEXUS members in the region and we really do appreciate motorists’ patience,” continued Holloway. “At the same time, we hope that card holders see the positive, long-term benefits that this project will have in reducing backups at the bridge.”

 

The NEXUS Enrollment Center located at the Whirlpool-Rapids Bridge United States plaza will remain open during the construction period; however, the Canada Border Services Agency offices within the Canada plaza will be closed. NEXUS enrollees interested in obtaining an iris scan (required for NEXUS usage during air travel at select airports) can therefore visit the Queenston Traffic Operations building to fulfill this component of program participation.

 

Whirlpool-Rapids Bridge users and area NEXUS program members are being notified of the temporary Canada-bound traffic closure through online communications and updated plaza signage. Motorists are also being educated on the construction project 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.

### 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: July 11, 2014

For further information contact:
Matt Davison, 716.604.7772
md@amdgpublicaffairs.com

NEXUS Program Reaches One Million Member Milestone

BUFFALO, NY/FORT ERIE, ON – Today the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (PBA) and Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC) announced that the NEXUS trusted travel program has officially enrolled its one millionth member.

“This is a huge milestone and it really demonstrates the interest in the program on both sides of the border, as well as the public’s appetite for the type of expedited border crossing experiences that NEXUS provides,” said PBA General Manager Ron Rienas.

In the Buffalo Niagara region, almost 150,000 NEXUS card holders were enrolled in the program through the region’s two processing centers, located at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie, Ontario, and the Whirlpool Bridge in Niagara Falls, New York.

“Motorists want a reliable and efficient way to cross the border and that is what NEXUS offers,” said NFBC General Manager Lew Holloway. “Our region has been committed to growing the NEXUS program and it really is notable that the local enrollment centers have handled 15% of the total program membership across all of Canada and the U.S.”

NEXUS is a bi-national program jointly administered by Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for low-risk, pre-approved travelers into Canada and the U.S. The program was piloted fourteen years ago and reached widespread implementation just three years later. NEXUS lanes are currently available in the Buffalo Niagara region at the Peace Bridge, Whirlpool Bridge, and Lewiston-Queenston Bridge.

A separate announcement regarding the milestone was also issued by Canada Border Services Agency in Ottawa, Ontario, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Washington, D.C.

“Reaching, and going beyond, the one millionth member milestone is a significant achievement for the NEXUS program,” said The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness for Canada. ”Through increased membership and by continually facilitating the flow of legitimate travel across the shared Canada–U.S. border, our Government can concentrate our efforts on continued economic growth and job creation.”

“CBP is proud of the success of trusted traveler programs like NEXUS,” said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner and former City of Buffalo Police Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. “Trusted Traveler programs, such as NEXUS, SENTRI, and Global Entry, allow our officers to concentrate their efforts on potentially higher-risk travelers and goods while speeding up legitimate travel and trade.”

In order to qualify for the NEXUS program, an applicant can first submit an online application using the Global Online Enrollment Systems (GOES), which can be accessed through the www.nexusniagara.com website.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 2, 2014

For further information contact:
Matt Davison, Media Contact
716.604.7772, md@amdgpublicaffairs.com

Niagara Falls Bridge Commission Introduces E-ZPass® Toll Program at
Rainbow, Whirlpool, and Lewiston-Queenston Bridge Crossings
Additional electronic payment option will supplement existing ExpressPass, Commercial ExpressPass,
and pre-loaded NEXUS/Toll card offerings

LEWISTON, NY – Today the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC) announced the upcoming introduction of the E-ZPass program at the Rainbow, Whirlpool, and Lewiston-Queenston international bridge spans. This popular electronic toll payment option will supplement the existing ExpressPass, Commercial ExpressPass, and NEXUS/Toll card offerings currently available to motorists at the Commission’s three Canadian-American border crossings. The NFBC will begin accepting E-ZPass toll payments in the late summer of 2014.

“The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission is committed to continually improving overall customer experience at our international bridge crossings,” said Niagara Falls Bridge Commission General Manager Lew Holloway. “While our ExpressPass and NEXUS card toll payment programs have been highly successful, we view E-ZPass as another step forward and a convenient tool for motorists in our region. These electronic tolling programs also help reduce congestion and toll lane idling, which is an excellent added benefit of their deployment.”

“The implementation of E-ZPass at each of the three Niagara Falls Bridge Commission crossings has gone very smoothly and is a great development for all E-ZPass customers” said E-ZPass Interagency Group Executive Director P.J. Wilkins. “There are currently more than 26 million customers in the 15 state E-ZPass region enjoying the benefit of non-stop motoring. We hope that even more border travelers come to recognize the benefits of the program and choose to enroll now so that they can use the program at the Rainbow, Whirlpool and Lewiston-Queenston international bridge spans.”

Niagara Falls Bridge Commission customers—most specifically those with ExpressPass, ExpressPass Commercial and NEXUS/Toll—are being notified of the availability of the   E-ZPass program through a series of print and online communications, as well as updated plaza signage and toll booth placards. Upon program implementation, ExpressPass, ExpressPass Commercial, and NEXUS card holders who already have      E-ZPass will be encouraged to cancel their current ExpressPass, ExpressPass Commercial and NEXUS/Toll accounts. Future tolls can then be paid through the existing E-ZPass transponder(s) issued to them for their vehicle(s).

Non Commercial autos with ExpressPass, NEXUS/Toll and E-ZPass tags are eligible to receive a toll discount at all NFBC crossings.  Motorists may purchase E-ZPass tags at NFBC currency exchanges or by visiting www.niagarafallsbridges.com, and clicking on the “electronic toll” tab.

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.

###

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 □