By Peter Joe Certo
This week the Buffalo Common Council unanimously passed this resolution relative to our international crossings, summarized below:
An aerial shot of the Peace Bridge crossing from the Fort Erie, Ontario side looking over to Buffalo, N.Y.
Merging the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission & The Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority—The Council adopted a resolution from Council Members Joseph Golombek, Jr. and David A. Rivera requesting United States President Barack Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Spending and Government Efficiency Commission (“SAGE”), and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty to undertake a review of the operations of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission and the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority and to identify the process to merge these entities so that the shared border crossings can be managed in a more efficient and cost effective manner.
The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission is an international public authority consisting of an eight-member board with equal representation from the United States and Canada, which owns, operates and manages the Lewiston-Queenston, Rainbow, and Whirlpool-Rapids Bridges. Similarly, the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, which oversees the operations of the Peace Bridge, is managed by a 10-member board of directors with equal representation from the United States and Canada.
At times, these quasi governmental agencies have been accused of ignoring or minimizing the effect of their planning and operations on the health, quality of life, and property values of local residents, particularly those who live in close proximity to the City of Buffalo’s waterfront. Governor Cuomo formed SAGE to recommend ways to make New York State government leaner and more cost effective.
The Council maintains that although it is unlikely for the United States, Canada, New York State, or the Province of Ontario to unilaterally bring about the reform and consolidation of these two international public entities, cooperation of all of the parties involved is needed and can result in significant changes.
While this resolution may be only an example of “bully pulpit” diplomacy, the fact that the issue was raised at all reflects a monumental change in public perception on managing our international crossings.
And the ideas expressed therein make great sense, as a consolidation of bridge authorities would not only eliminate petty competitiveness but also encourage a region-wide approach to maximizing our potential to benefit from a progressive logistics solution that will take us into the next century – a “Bridge to the Future”, if you will.
What do you think?
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Peter Joe Certo is a resident of Buffalo, N.Y. and a member of the Niagara Gateway Columbus Park Association, representing residents in a neighbourhood adjacent to the Customs booths on the U.S. side of the Peace Bridge.
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