Border dispute, bridge remain priorities: MP

April 23, 2010 Cornwall Standard Freeholder

MP Guy Lauzon is keeping the local bridge project and border dispute on the front burner with a pair of cabinet ministers.

The local MP met Wednesday with Transport Minister John Baird and Public Safety Minist

er Vic Toews to discuss the future of the international bridge crossing and port of entry in Cornwall. The brief meeting served as a follow-up to the recent discussions about the status of the new low-level bridge project and the possibility of moving Canada customs to the U.S. side of the river.

The timeline for the bridge -- which will replace the existing span and connect at the foot of Brookdale Avenue -- could be complicated by the current customs situation, and Lauzon said he wants to ensure everyone's "on the same page."

There were no groundbreaking developments to come out of the meeting, however Lauzon said they agreed to keep each other informed, and they were unanimous in their desire to see the customs situation resolved.

"I'm going to keep both of them up to speed to make sure we're going in the same direction," he said.

There's no firm construction timelines for the new crossing, but Lauzon reiterated the design plans are well-advanced. He suggested work on the new bridge could begin fairly quickly once there's more certainty on the customs situation.

Some $75 million has already been earmarked for the project.

Meanwhile, Lauzon is continuing to work with one of his U.S. counterparts on the possibility of building a new permanent Canada customs facility near the U.S. port of entry in Massena. Congressman Bill Owens plans to ask Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to move ahead with the co-location of the two customs facilities, and Lauzon is trying to gather information on traffic and trade patterns at the local crossing to help support Owens' case.