The local border dispute is fast approaching the one-year mark, and by the sounds of it, it won't be resolved any time soon.
As a result, the timeline for the new low-level bridge -- which would create a new doorway to Cornwall's downtown and new development opportunities on Brookdale Avenue -- remains in limbo.
Following a meeting with Canada Border Services Agency officials earlier this week, Mayor Bob Kilger conceded that the search for a permanent solution to the dispute over the arming of border guards will likely take longer than first thought.
Though he didn't want to provide an exact date, Kilger hinted the situation could go on for another six months or more.
The CBSA shares a similar view, as a spokesperson told the Standard-Freeholder that the interim customs facility on Brookdale Avenue will likely remain in place until at least the end of summer.
"There are a number of complexities related to all of the options under consideration and the CBSA is working diligently with its stakeholders to assess these issues," wrote CBSA spokesperson Patrizia Giolti in an e-mail.
"These things take time to fully explore and we want to make sure that whatever option is chosen is a viable, long-term solution that will work best to satisfy the CBSA's mandate," she added.
Kilger noted the three basic scenarios on the table include having the CBSA return to the existing facility on Cornwall Island or building a new customs facility in either Cornwall or the U.S. side of the border. Of those, two would essentially be "starting from scratch" as design plans would have to be drawn up and construction would have to take place, the mayor added.
Asked about the possibility of building a new customs facility in Cornwall or on the U.S. side, Giolti said those two options haven't been ruled out by the CBSA.
Giolti refused to elaborate on what other options are being considered.
The ongoing stalemate over the arming of border guards will likely have a direct impact on the proposed new low-level bridge between Cornwall and Cornwall Island.
Andre Girard, the vice-president of communications with the Federal Bridge Corporation, said the bridge project is basically "on ice" for now given the customs situation.
"It's directly tied to what's going with the CBSA because it has an impact on the design of the new bridge," Girard said this week. "We're optimistic. It can't go on forever. We're hoping they'll settle it as soon as possible."
As for the central issue of having armed border guards on Cornwall Island, it doesn't appear that the CBSA or Akwesasne leaders have shifted very far from their original positions.
As recently as this week, the CBSA indicated that it is arming border guards at all land crossings "without exception," and the issue is "not open for discussion."
As for Akwesasne's position, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne spokesperson Brendan White referred to the results of a community plebiscite late last year which showed the majority of respondents would like to see the CBSA return to the existing port on Cornwall Island, however they are "less confident" about them returning with firearms.
"That is open for further discussion," White said.
Akwesasne leaders have also raised a number of other related issues in their negotiations with the CBSA, and they've called for mediation and political involvement to help solve the problem, however Canada's public safety minister has refused to get personally involved as he views it as an operational matter best left to the CBSA.
Kilger said the CBSA is looking at making some improvements to the interim port of entry in Cornwall in the near future to make it as safe and functional as possible, and the city will also be proposing some changes aimed at improving the overall appearance of the facility.
The CBSA moved out of the port of entry on Cornwall Island last summer after the community of Akwesasne objected to the agency's plan to begin arming some border guards at the port on June 1.