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 □