A pilot program intended to test the feasibility of reducing wait time and congestion for truck crossings at the U.S.-Canadian border has entered its second phase at Peace Bridge, at the crossing between Fort Eerie, Ontario, and Buffalo, N.Y.
The program’s first phase began in June at the Pacific Highway crossing at Surrey, B.C., and Blaine, Wash., and tested the feasibility of placing Customs officers in Canada to pre-inspect selected trucks entering the U.S.
The Peace Bridge phase began Feb. 24 and is expected to free up much needed space at the Customs plaza in Buffalo.
U.S. Custom and Border Protection will continue radiation screening and basic primary processing of U.S.-bound truck cargo in Fort Erie, Ontario for at least six months. Secondary inspections, when required, will continue being done on the Buffalo, N.Y. side.
