Beyond the Border Action Plan
Border Infrastructure Investment Plan (BIIP)
Defining Success
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Success is defined by bi-national transportation and customs
infrastructure improvements that enhance cross-border trade,
travel, and border security
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These improvements will help to ensure that our border
infrastructure has the capacity to properly support and complement
the efficiencies gained through other initiatives that fall under the
broader vision for perimeter security and economic competitiveness
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To arrive at these infrastructure improvements, the U.S. and
Canada will jointly develop and sustain a five-year Border
Infrastructure Investment Plan (BIIP) that will be renewed annually.
Defining Success
The U.S. and Canada will coordinate plans for investment in physical infrastructure
upgrades at key crossings including the following (in alphabetical order)
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Initial Canadian priority
crossings:
• Emerson, Manitoba
• Lacolle, Quebec
• Lansdowne, Ontario
• North Portal, Saskatchewan
• Peace Bridge, Ontario
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Infrastructure investments at these locations are subject to the
availability of funds
Initial U.S. priority crossings:
• Alexandria Bay, New York
• Blue Water Bridge, Michigan
• Lewiston Bridge, New York
• Peace Bridge, New York
Economic Benefits
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This initiative, along with several other initiatives under the Beyond
the Border Action Plan, is designed to benefit the integrated
economies of Canada and the U.S. which depend on the fluid
movement of commercial and non-commercial traffic across our
borders.
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Modernization of major border crossings will provide the following
long-term economic benefits:
 reduced wait times;
 increased reliability of just-in-time shipments; and,
 decreased fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions,
due to less engine idling at the border.
Project Critical Path
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The first annual Border Infrastructure Investment Plan is currently
at the final approval stage in both countries.
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The U.S. and Canada would then seek the necessary resources
needed to implement specific projects identified in the plan.
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Performance measures will include increased capacity at border
crossings, reduced wait times, and decreased greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions, due to less engine idling at the border.
Linkages with Other Initiatives
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This initiative, which specifically targets border infrastructure, is one
of several complementary initiatives designed to facilitate crossborder trade, travel, and security. Efficiencies gained through this
initiative will support and work in tandem with the following:
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Small and Remote Ports of Entry;
Border Wait Time Technology;
Pre-Inspection and Preclearance;
Enhanced Trusted Trader and Trusted Traveler; and,
Harmonized Benefits to NEXUS Members.
Stakeholders
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Stakeholder consultations have been undertaken to inform the first
BIIP and this approach will be followed for future updates BIIP.
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Consultations with states, provinces and public border operators
took take place through the Transportation Border Working Group
(TBWG) and separately.
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Once the upgraded border crossings are fully operational,
stakeholders should benefit from increased physical capacity for
both commercial and passenger traffic at the border, and
decreased border wait times.
2nd Annual BIIP Report
Introduction
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Major Border Crossings (focus of BIIP) (25)
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Medium-Sized Border Crossings (34)
(planned/proposed infrastructure improvements
noted)
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Small And Remote Ports (consensus
recommendations on improvements) (62)
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Next Steps
2nd Annual BIIP Report
Schedule
• Outline of Report – Nov. 7, 2012
• Expanded Outline of Report - April 2013
• TBWG Comments – April to July 2013
• Review by Agencies
• Final Report – Sept. 30, 2013
Next Steps
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Improving our cross-border infrastructure is a long-term process. As
other projects are identified, they will be addressed in annual
updates.
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A key success factor will be securing the necessary Canadian, U.S.
Government and other stakeholder funding for identified, and
future, projects.
Discussion Topics
– Explore Innovative Finance
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Public Private Partnerships (PPP)
TIFIA Loans (lower cost loans)
Trust Funds
Shared Cost
– Reduce Need for Infrastructure
– Impact of New Technology
– Funding Future Bridge Needs
– Other