Will city make more room on Brookdale for CBSA?

New toll booth set up on bridge

November 10, 2009 Cornwall Standard Freeholder

CORNWALL - The new toll booth at the north end of the international bridge may not be the biggest sign the Canada Border Services Agency will make Brookdale Avenue its local home for months to come, if not longer.

The Seaway International Bridge Corporation (SIBC) has placed a winterized toll booth and canopy at the end of the north span bridge in Cornwall, but a notice of motion to city council on Monday hints at bigger plans to expand the temporary customs plaza.

"There are now plans to increase the overall footprint of the custom area," reads the motion from councillors Mary Ann Hug and Mark MacDonald.

Sources have told the Standard-Freeholder there may be a new lane added to Brookdale Avenue to better accommodate the customs plaza put in place after a disagreement between the CBSA and Akwesasne First Nation over arming border officers closed the Cornwall Island facility.

Mayor Bob Kilger declined to comment on the possibility of a Brookdale expansion, but said a press release regarding the temporary customs plaza and its location will be sent out later this week.

MacDonald would only say there is "other stuff happening," adding that he could not discuss the plans until the city announces any potential changes.

"I have a deep concern because every time I drive by the customs plaza there is something there more permanent than before," MacDonald said. "If there is no end in sight to this issue, we run the risk of this thing becoming permanent."

The notice of motion calls on the city to encourage more discussion between the CBSA and Akwesasne and for city council to set a deadline for a solution to the dispute.

If there is no solution by the deadline, MacDonald would like to see the customs plaza moved off city land.

He said the deal to put customs on Brookdale was "struck by night" without consulting the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.

"They were left out of negotiations from the get-go," MacDonald said.

While negotiations continue, SIBC toll staff will continue to control traffic onto the north span bridge, allowing emergency vehicles to avoid delays and lineups during emergencies.

The new toll booth and canopy are scheduled to become operational within the next two weeks.