Higgins Crosses Another Bridge
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) is seeking a new study to determine whether new technological advances that will allow for faster more efficient border-crossing at the Peace Bridge could ultimately shrink the existing plans for a new toll plaza.
“News of better, more efficient and secure procedures at our borders may provide us an unforeseen opportunity to scale down the existing plaza size and spare some of the homes compromised under the existing plan,” said Congressman Brian Higgins. “I am seeking an expeditious report on expected new crossing times so the [Public Bridge Authority] can consider potential new options and make plans to proceed with construction of the new plaza and bridge in a timely manner.”
Higgins sent a letter out to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, asking the Department to examine whether, in light of the new screening methods for crossing to and from Canada, the new expansion plan might allow for a smaller plaza that could save a number of homes currently scheduled to be taken through the eminent domain process.
The Peace Bridge expansion plan was developed incorporating the existing identification review system, but new efficiencies in the crossing process are underway and has the potential to decrease the need for the 24 booths planned for in the new design, which may in turn allow planners to pull the new plaza footprint out of the neighborhoods under concern.
New technology includes new devices that will read microchips embedded in advanced forms of identification, including the enhanced driver’s licenses that will be available to New York residents this September. The computers will allow agents to scan rather than manually key in travelers’ identification information.
The thought is that with expedited traffic, there would be less idle time along with a need for less booths and altogether less plaza.
According to the U.S. State Department, the US and Canada maintain a bilateral trade volume the equivalent of $1.5 billion in goods each and every day. The Peace Bridge remains the second busiest crossing along the US/Canada border.
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Comment Options
rb66
Another study! We'll have flying cars by the time construction on this bridge starts.
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TownLine
According to Back to the Future, we should have flying cars by 2015.
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mbhxam
Buffalo and her politicians do LOVE a good study! That and a good law suit!
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RaChaCha
Since we're going by the movies, the George Eastman House in My Fair City screened The Blues Brothers the other day. Lots of flying cars - and that was 1980!
Seriously, I think it would be better to invest study funding in looking at the feasibility of using the International Bridge location for the truck/freight crossing.
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PaulBuffalo
The stunning Squaw Island Park, one of the new park jewels in Buffalo, and surrounding Black Rock community would be devastated if the International Bridge were used for truck freight. I'm sure Fort Erie residents would be none to pleased, either.
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GDC
You'd think after so many years of Studys in ths city, we'd be far more advance than those cities THAT JUST DO IT!
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blackrocklifer
We certainly do not want a truck bridge in Black Rock, Our community mobilized once to stop the ambassador proposal and will again if necessary. Diesel truck bridges do not belong in densely populated areas. Maybe the price of fuel will finally shift freight back to railroads which are more efficient and less intrusive to the host community.
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RaChaCha
"
Diesel truck bridges do not belong in densely populated areas. Maybe the price of fuel will finally shift freight back to railroads which are more efficient and less intrusive to the host community.
"
Amen that.
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PaulBuffalo
I've not seen any reason why the Peace Bridge project must begin as soon as possible. It will not add jobs, but it will add a lot of additional truck fumes. I'm glad the Congressman Higgins is taking this action. I'd rather see him push Skyway dismantling. That would have a more positive effect on the psyche of the community.
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buffaloweiner
Put another truck bridge in Grand Island....get the trucks off the peace bridge
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bison716
I'm all for it! Better plan, better for travelers, better for the people and more homes being saved... but get this going ASAP! WE WANT THAT BRIDGE!!!
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distas
This seems like a study that is worth the time since it would be satisfying both parties if a smaller, high tech and more efficient plaza can be designed.
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bison716
I'm all for it! Better plan, better for travelers, better for the people and more homes being saved... but get this going ASAP! WE WANT THAT BRIDGE!!!
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impressingagent
well at least the people that live in this area won't have to pay for a buzz.
I give them a lot of credit for living here already and its nice to know that we have more options to give back to the community. This is where the fantastic bridge needs to be and the neighborhood needs to move on for better or for worse. less demolished homes is a good thing. the sacrifice will be worth it in the end. i don't live there but i know that the bridge will serve many lifetimes of people to a much greater extend then a few rows of houses. that is, unless they find some rare ground owl.
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Assaroni
Higgins is the new Sam Hoyt, sending letters out...Yay!!!!! Lets spend more on Studies!!! YAY!!! How many of these companies does he serve on the board of
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megsmeany
"just do it" is not the right response to changing our physical environment. that is how was got into this mess. first things first: studies are step one, thats why they happen so often, duh?
this is good news, merging new technology with thoughtful planning. remember when technology was supposed to make our lives better, well here is an example. not just making a car fly...
buffalo, specifically the area around the toll bridge, is making national news because of the bridge plans. NEGATIVE news, we have a neighborhood on the national trusts most endangered places. lets get it off that list!
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Hospitable
Higgie... do urself a favor, build a bridge where there is nothing in the way.
Niagara Falls Grand Island
Even if there is a smaller "footprint" it won't matter.... this project as a whole is far too intrusive. I agree with Megs that we are all underestimating the negative press resulting from the bridge project.
It will kill a neighborhood with character and history And could possibly tarnish your career
Do yourself and the rest of us a favor and drop this project. Put it too rest permenantly!!!
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blackrocklifer
The peace bridge area and black rock have much in common. Both are threatened by diesel truck plazas and both are historic waterfront communities. Neither should be forced to carry the regions burden of truck traffic as diesel exhaust is not just a nuisance but a well documented and serious health concern. We must stand together and protect our neighborhoods, not sacrifice one for the other. Imagine the outcry if something like this was proposed for any other community in western new york where people live and raise their families. The future is unlikely to be in trucking, resources are finite and it would be foolish to invest in such inefficient transportation at this time.
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CrystalBeachStrand
From Canada: The Bridge on the River Lie In Thursday's Niagara Falls Review (http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1107967) a front page feature article titled, The Bridge Builder profiled Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority general manager Ron Reinas. At first I thought that it had been written by one of his groupies, but it was authored by the excellent Niagara Falls Review staff writer Ray Spiteri. It was, not surprisingly, a fair and well-written article about the determination of Ron Reinas who has "been trying to sell an expansion project at the Peace Bridge to skeptical government agencies in the U.S." for the past five years. There is praise all around for his perseverance in the face of opposition. Back when he served as Fort Erie town planner, Reinas worked hard to have the Leisureplex built. Despite serious opposition to a liquor-licensed lounge, he forged ahead and convinced the council of the day to go ahead with the project. Although thousands signed petitions; despite public outrage over "the thought of alcohol being sold at the same venue where children play hockey," despite a large turnout to oppose the granting of a liquor license at a liquor license board meeting held at town hall, Reinas prevailed and a bar was placed in the Leisureplex. Today that bar is owned by a former town hall department head and is a popular watering hole for town hall staff and town officials. Reinas's grit and determination seems to be the main theme of the piece, which portrays Reinas as a man who will not take no for an answer when he is sure that he is right. And that brings me to the problem with Reinas and his bridge. It may be his dream, but it is also his delusion. The companion to the Peace Bridge will not be built.
Reinas and the PBA's bridge consists of:
No bridge design
No money
No completed environmental impact studies in either country
Not enough land
No permits
No permit applications
No approvals
The opposition on the U.S. side is explained away by Reinas by pointing out that the Frederick Olmstead designed Front Park will be "made larger." and other area improvements. Yet the opposition is fierce and well-organized. If all that Reinas says is the truth, why would so many diverse groups be united in the effort to stop the bridge expansion project? Reinas has often found himself facing angry citizens on the U.S. side at meetings organized by these groups. There are audio tapes of these meetings and Reinas has given conflicting information from what those on the Canadian side of the river are hearing. Yes Reinas is determined. Even Fort Erie Mayor Doug Martin has dubbed him "Mr. Persistence." And like the treatment of those in opposition to the selling of liquor at the Leisureplex, Reinas will continue to have the attitude of "the public be damned; it's my way or the highway."
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