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Queenston-Lewiston Bridge
3 September 2009
The Queenston-Lewiston Bridge is the fourth-busiest Canada-U.S. commercial land border crossing and a key component of the Ontario-Quebec Continental Gateway and Trade Corridor. In 2007, bridge traffic included approximately 920,000 two-way commercial vehicle crossings, or approximately 2,500 commercial vehicles per day.A $130-million, multi-phase project to redevelop and expand the Queenston Plaza on the Canadian side of the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge is currently underway.
Phase One was completed in December 2008. It consisted of the construction of a new elevated parking structure, a toll complex, commercial primary customs processing, a retaining/security wall to extend the usable plaza footprint, and a new maintenance storage facility.
Phase Two improvements to the Queenston Plaza will consist of additional passenger primary inspection lanes, commercial warehouse inspection facilities and commercial toll booths that will allow for more efficient processing of vehicles. Improved efficiency will reduce traffic congestion at this key border crossing and will help reduce air pollution from idling vehicles.
Additional features, such as a wall to separate Canada-bound and U.S.-bound traffic, will improve security. Phase Two improvements also include a new central building for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). This will provide additional space and improved facilities for CBSA personnel to perform their duties, which will ultimately increase their ability to process commercial and passenger traffic in a timely manner.
The total cost of Phase Two is estimated at $76.5 million with the Government of Canada contributing up to $62 million and the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission contributing the remainder.
The federal investment in Phase Two was funded through the Harper Government’s $2.1-billion Gateways and Border Crossings Fund, which was developed to improve the flow of goods and people between Canada and the rest of the world. This fund provides support for transportation infrastructure and related initiatives, and to develop and exploit Canada's strategic gateways, trade corridors and border crossings.
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3 September 2009
