A visit south of the border at one of B.C.'s busiest highway crossings is expected to be easier and quicker two years from now.
According to a news release issued last month by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), US$33.2 million has been awarded to design and construct an expansion to the Pacific Highway crossing in Blaine.
The "modernization project" will add four primary vehicle-inspection lanes – bringing the total to 10 – and one outbound inspection lane, and further support for the NEXUS program, which expedites processing for pre-screened travellers.
As well, the port is to receive enhanced secondary-inspection capabilities, including six enlarged bays for vehicle inspections.
It "will bolster safety and security, while alleviating congestion and wait times for travellers and… further promote cross-border trade and tourism in the United States and Canada," the release states.
The port, according to information at gsa.gov, currently processes more traffic than it was originally designed for. Without changes, "wait times will continue to increase along with negative environmental and economic impacts resulting from the delays," it states.
Southbound travellers, including commercial trucks, access the crossing via 176 Street (Highway 15).
The use of low embodied carbon concrete and steel in construction of the new lanes and canopies is anticipated to reduce material-related emissions by an estimated 190 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent – the same amount a gas-powered car would generate by driving around the Earth 25 times, the release notes.
The funding is comprised of $25 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and $8 million from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The contract was awarded to T1-RJS Joint Venture LLC; a collaboration between Coquille Indian Tribe's Tribal One (T1) company and woman- and Native American-owned RJS Construction, Inc.
Work is expected to get underway in summer of 2025, with "substantial completion" anticipated by November 2026.
