Technology introduced for border times
The border between the United States and Canada at Glacier National Park in Montana, bordering the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.
(Photo courtesy of Flickr user mtsrs)
New technology has been installed at the Queenston-Lewiston and the Peace Bridges between New York state and the Canadian province of Ontario with delay information.
In a statement, Canada’s Attorney General Rob Nicholson, making the announcement on behalf of the country’s Transport Minister, said this technology would allow individuals to cross the border faster. “Canada and the United States are taking action to promote the safe, secure and efficient movement of people and goods across the border,” Nicholson said. “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 that it would also reduce time. “While driving to the border, we naturally wonder whether it will be faster to cross at Fort Erie or Queenston,” Nicholson said. “With this new technology, accurate, up-to-the-minute crossing times will be posted well before you reach the border.”
This project is part of the Beyond the Border Plan that was agreed to by President Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2011. Four border spots in the province of British Columbia also are equipped with the technology. A spokeswoman for Transport Canada, the country’s transport agency, told Uloop that within there are 14 more border spots that need the technology, and those areas would have the technology within the next three years.
In a statement, the acting Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner David Aguilar said the technology allows cooperation between the two countries. “This technology demonstrates significant progress on behalf of the Beyond the Border Action Plan by updating critical infrastructure at our ports and enhancement of the border-crossing experience for travelers,” Aguilar said. “This latest example of US-Canadian collaboration demonstrates our nations’ partnership to ensure continued economic competitiveness.”