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For Immediate Release:
September 24, 2007
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Contact: Sandra Phillips
716-285-6322, ext. 4151 (US)
905-354-5641, ext.4151 (CA)
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LEWISTON-QUEENSTON BRIDGE PLAZA PROJECT BREAKS GROUND;
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Queenston Plaza Phase One Construction To Conclude 2009
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Queenston, ON...The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, the bi-national entity responsible for the construction, maintenance and operation of the Rainbow, Whirlpool Rapids and Queenston-Lewiston Bridges over the Niagara River, today held a ceremonial ground-breaking to mark construction of new plaza facilities on the Queenston side of the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge. The first phase of a $120+ million (CA) project will see the construction of new toll, parking and commercial inspection facilities. This component is expected to cost $45 million, funded entirely by the Bridge Commission.
"This project is being undertaken to enhance security and efficiency at the fourth busiest commercial crossing on the Canada-US Border" said Commission Chairperson Janice A. Thomson (Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON). "The original plaza no longer supports the Commission's mission of moving people and commerce efficiently and safely over the Niagara River as well as it could, hence a new approach." The present facility first opened to traffic in 1962 and has seen only modest modification over the intervening 45 years. James W. Ward (Newfane, NY), Commission Vice-Chairperson, noted that "The new facility is the next step in the Commission's capital program for improvement of all three of our spans. At the end of this phase, the NFBC will have invested more than $190 million in our infrastructure over the past 15 years."
Major construction on the first phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by early 2009. Phase 2, which will include new facilities for Canada Border Services Agency, relocation of some plaza facilities and an expansion of passenger primary processing capacity is the subject of an NFBC application to the Government of Canada for Border/Gateway Infrastructure funding. NFBC General Manager Thomas Garlock noted that "Our most important message to bridge users is to please slow down and be aware of changing traffic patterns to ensure their safety and the safety of construction and Commission personnel."
Motorists crossing the border are encouraged to call the Commission's toll-free number, 1-800-715-6722 to learn of up to date traffic conditions.
Commissioners of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, in addition to Ms. Thomson and Mr. Ward, are Robert E. Lewis, NY, Kenneth E. Loucks, ON, Bruce D. McCuaig, ON, Barry Swartz, NY and Brian H. Wilkie, ON.
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