Peace Bridge

The Federal Highway Administration and the Customs and Border Protection of the US, along with the Canada Border Services Agency and Transport Canada, have completed the installation of new sensor technology at Peace Bridge and Queenston-Lewiston Bridge.

The sensor technology, installed near customs plazas and approach roads, will update travellers with the time required to cross the bridge and offer an option to choose the less congested bridge between the two.

Canada Attorney General and Minister for Justice Rob Nicholson said Canada and the US are taking action to promote the safe, secure and efficient movement of people and goods across the border.

"This technology will make cross-border travel easier and facilitate trade by providing reliable, up-to-date information to help drivers plan and choose the fastest crossing," Nicholson added.

The border wait time technology will help border agencies manage traffic volumes efficiently by providing up-to-date information and ensuring smooth border operations.

Canada Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said: "Border wait time measurement technology will improve accessibility across the border, increase efficiency at ports and enhance service levels."

"The border wait time technology will help border agencies manage traffic volumes efficiently by providing up-to-date information and ensuring smooth border operations."

The two countries executed the project under the Beyond the Border Action Plan, which aims to reduce, eliminate and prevent barriers to cross-border trade and travel.

The action plan also aims to install border wait time measurement technology at the top 20 land crossings.

US Customs and Border Protection acting Commissioner David Aguilar said that the technology demonstrates significant progress on behalf of the Beyond the Border Action Plan by updating critical infrastructure at the ports and enhancement of the border-crossing experience for travellers.

"This latest example of US-Canadian collaboration demonstrates our nations’ partnership to ensure continued economic competitiveness," Aguilar added.

The agencies of both the countries are expecting the new technology to reduce border wait time for both the public and commercial carriers by up to one million hours every year.

Image: Peace Bridge in Canada. Photo: courtesy of Courtesy of Óðinn.