Bridge cheque in the mail? Transport Canada reviewing $50 million Canada plaza expansion.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: TRANSPORTATION

Money for a new Canada Customs plaza at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge may soon be in the offing.

The bridge authority's $50 million funding application for a new and improved customs inspection plaza is being reviewed by Transport Canada and officials locally and in Ottawa are very encouraged by what they hear.

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Upgrading the customs plaza has long been identified by International Bridge manager Phil Becker as a pressing need.

While the U.S. invested $18 million into a high-tech security plaza on the Michigan side after the 2001 terrorists attacks, the Canadian side has changed very little since the bridge first opened in the early 1960s:

The Canadian Sault built a new truck route down to the bridge on the west side of the plaza property and civic officials are fixated on improving its overall transportation infrastructure to attract more commercial rail, highway and marine traffic.

The 4.5-kilometre span is jointly operated by the State of Michigan and the St. Mary's River Bridge Company of which a Crown corporation, the Federal Bridge Corp. is a major shareholder.

"We've worked with the Canadian owner made up of those two agencies and submitted an application to the Gateway and Border Crossing Fund for a $50 million funding application," said Becker.

It would cover all the costs associated with Canada Customs plaza redevelopment project.

In late February Federal Bridge Corp. president Micheline Dube addressed a joint board meeting in the Sault and delivered a "very encouraging report" on Transport Canada's review of their application. Transport Canada officials also were in attendance.

Federal Bridge is carrying the torch to secure funding from Transport Canada.

Becker said it was a promising indication that things are finally moving forward.

"Though there's no assurances, things are very positive. (Dube) was able to provide some facts at the meeting that were very encouraging."

A letter was also issued from Transport Canada identifying some issues to be dealt with in the review of the grant application. A major redevelopment requires acquiring more residential property along Albert and Queen Streets.

Land acquisition may not be eligible for government funding and early estimates peg that in the $4.6 million range.

Becker is determined not to let that be a stumbling block, even if it means paying for it through bridge revenues.

"We will do whatever we can. We will not allow this to be a barrier, in what...