Submitted to NAL by the Office of U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins
Buffalo, New York area Congressman Brian Higgins announced that U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (this March) with Canada authorizing two phases of primary inspections of commercial cargo in Canada, including one at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo.
Buffalo, New York area Congressman Brian Higgins
“The economic future of Western New York will be linked to our integration with Canada, said Congressman Higgins, a member of the House of Representatives Committees on Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs as well as the US-Canada Inter-Parliamentary Group. “The Beyond the Border Action Plan was symbolic of that, and this agreement is a concrete step in that direction.”
The MOU is a codification of commitments in the Beyond the Border Action Plan which originally authorized the pilots to take place. Phase One will take place in Blaine, Washington. Phase Two will be at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo.
Phase One, the Blaine pilot, will operate for a period up to 6 months, for as long as 18 months. It is expected that after those six months have been completed, the agencies will assess and determine whether and how to proceed to Phase Two at the Peace Bridge. The Peace Bridge pilot will test the feasibility of decreasing wait times by conducting primary inspections in Canada. It is estimated that the pilot at the Peace Bridge could commence in 2014.
This is just the latest effort to improve the flow of goods and people across the Northern border. Last week Congressman Higgins joined New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo in announcing a $22 million project to improve the gateway at the Peace Bridge which will involve restoration of Olmsted’s Front Park and reconfiguration of the plaza. In addition the Peace Bridge Authority and New York State Department of Transportation will begin work this year on a $20 million project to construct a new U.S. Customs Commercial building.
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Niagara At Large 
While this could be helpful we need to get behind the Niagara/Ambassador Bridge project, land on both sides of the border has been assembled this would be built with private money no public money needed.!! The last Fort Erie council tried to kill this project,no good reason given Ron Reinas who was the former Fort Erie CEO and Doug Martin a former member of the board of directors ran rough shod over the feeble minded council member’s who like good little sheep voted against this fabulous proposal.They cite Mr Maroun,s ownership of the Ambassador Bridge was a monopoly , He purchased the bridge for 30 million dollars back in the 1980’s. Michigan or Ontario could have bought it , if they had, had any vision.. Mr Maroun is in his 80’s so now could be a good time to get this project front and centre.
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