Border Crossing / Canadian Issues
Office of Freight Transportation
OFT
has increasingly been focusing on improving relations with neighboring
provinces and making improvements at Maine's border crossings with
Canada. Border crossings are points that impact the free flow of
freight transportation for Maine shippers and transportation providers.
Since the implementation of free trade between the U.S. and Canada
in 1989, truck traffic entering the U.S. through Maine's border
crossings has increased significantly. In fact, trade between
the U.S. and Canada amounts to over a $1 Billion a day.
More
generally, OFT also looks to improve trade and transportation relations
with the Canadian provinces. The OFT provided project management
for the Calais/St. Stephen Area Border Crossing Study. This study
resulted in the selection of a site for a new bridge and border
crossing between Maine and New Brunswick that is currently being
designed.
Construction is expected
to commence in early 2006 on what will be the first stand-alone
new border crossing on the U.S./Canadian border in at least 30 years.
Taken together, the total investment between MaineDOT, New Brunswick
DOT, and the Federal inspection agencies will total over $100 million.
OFT works with other
New England state DOTs and Canadian provincial Ministries of Transportation
on issues of common concern such as border crossing policies and
transportation funding issues. For example, OFT staff serves on
the Board of Directors of the Eastern Border Transportation
Coalition (EBTC), the Transportation Working Group of the New England
Governors/Eastern Canadian Premiers Conference, and the FHWA/Transport
Canada Transportation Border Working Group.
EBTC is an organization
made up of the transportation agencies from Maine, Michigan, New
York, Vermont, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince
Edward Island, & Newfoundland & Labrador. EBTC conducts
studies, forms policy positions, and works to improve the flow of
people and goods across the world's most prosperous border.
Links:
Transportation
Agencies of Neighboring Provinces
For more information concerning
border crossings and other Canadian issues contact Kevin.Rousseau@maine.gov
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