New bridge plaza funding essential
Commitment sought under federal border crossing fund
Posted By BRIAN KELLY, THE SAULT STAR
Posted 5 hours ago


When the International Bridge went cap in hand to the federal government for $50 million to build a new Canadian customs plaza earlier this fall, its options were limited.

Either Transport Canada and Infrastructure Canada would agree to give the Sault Ste. Marie border crossing a slice of their $2.1-billion Gateways and Border Crossings Fund, or the bridge proposal would return from Ottawa empty-handed.

"Border plaza projects are only eligible under the GBCF," said Transport Canada spokesperson Maryse Durette in a telephone interview from Ottawa late last week.

The Joint International Bridge Authority has only $5 million US in reserves. That's not nearly enough to replace a 46-year-old building that is functionally obsolete.

Another potential problem for the crossing between the Twin Saults: no confirmation that the federal government would pick up the entire tab for a construction project that could take up to seven years.

"I think it would be too early to say are they going to cover the whole cost or part of the cost," said Durette.

The International Bridge preliminary business case is being reviewed for "its eligibility and merit" under the GBCF's terms and conditions.

The program, announced in July 2007, has a mandate to improve trade between Canada and the world.

About 20 per cent of the total amount, or $400 million, is dedicated to the construction of a new access road linking Highway 401 to a new bridge crossing between Windsor and Detroit.

In 2006, there were 3,640,000 commercial truck crossings between those two cities. That compares to 100,000 in Sault Ste. Marie.

"It was obvious for the government to invest in Windsor," said Durette.

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The Sault International Bridge is the 10th busiest passenger crossing between Canada and the United States and the 16th busiest commercial port between the two countries.

There is no other bridge crossing for more than 750 kilometres east or west of Sault Ste. Marie.

"The federal government is aware of the need for improvements to the Canadian customs facilities at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge," said Durette.

"(The bridge) is a vital trade and tourism gateway for the local and regional economies."

But she was not able to confirm it is considered a major border crossing, a criterium necessary to crack the GBCF piggy bank.

There is no dedicated amount of the $2.1 billion set aside specifically for "any specific investments" including border crossings.

Durette declined to say how many other crossings have submitted proposals besides the Sault, but two have already received GBCF money.

In Lacolle, Que., $10 million will be spent to expand existing commercial inspection and bus processing facilities "to meet increased demand and facilitate the flow of commercial vehicles," said Durette.

A Feb. 29 release from Transport Canada makes no mention of any other agencies, or levels of government, contributing cash to the construction project.

Lacolle is the sixth busiest commercial land border crossing between Canada and the United States.

The GBCF chipped in $62 million, or 83 per cent of the total $75 million cost, towards improvements, including a new Canada Border Services Agency building and commercial inspection facilities, at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge in the Niagara Region. It's the fourth-busiest commercial land crossing between Canada and the United States.

Durette expects the recent mice problem at the Canadian customs plaza in the Sault will be discussed during the review of the International Bridge application.

MP Tony Martin met with bridge officials, including general manager Phil Becker, Thursday to be briefed on the funding application.

He plans to contact Micheline Dube, president of the Federal Bridge Corporation Ltd. The Crown agency is the first stop for the bridge's funding request.

With $2.1 billion in the kitty, he considers the $50-million price tag, while "not insignificant," "should be doable."

"I think they really have a responsibility to look at it with some seriousness to make sure that it's functioning properly," said Martin Saturday.

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