SAINT-BERNARD-DE-LACOLLE, Que. – Construction has begun on an inspection station at Highway 15 bordering Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Que., and Champlain, N. Y., as part of the provincial/federal Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program to update the trans-border trade corridor.

“The work to improve the quality and reliability of this strategic Quebec trade corridor (between Montreal and Lacolle) testifies once again to the importance placed on transportation by our governments, which will be allocating nearly $4 billion over the next three years to improve Quebec’s roads,” provincial Transport Minister Michel Despres said Nov. 25.

A total of $21.6 million was set aside for thecontrol station project, to be located less than three kilometres north of the border.

A six-month testing period is to begin once the station is operational by fall.

It will use intelligent transportation systems comprising a vehicle-detecting device, an embedded scale to weigh heavy vehicles as well as automated identification systems made up of a transmitter/receiver and cameras to provide optical recognition of licence plates and variable message signs.

The new equipment will be integrated into the computer systems of the Quebec automobile insurance corporation.

Other work along the corridor includes installation of new lighting along the center strip and landscaping to improve the look of the gateway for traffic entering Quebec.