TORONTO (March 24, 2003) — Truck traffic continues to roll across checkpoints on the U.S.-Canada border with no extraordinary delays, a hopeful sign for truckers who feared a war would bring backups to rival those following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Truckers have become accustomed to backups ranging from one to four hours at major crossings as the United States prepared for war with Iraq and terrorist reprisals on its own soil. On March 17, the U.S. government raised its terror alert status to Condition Orange, which has resulted in more thorough vehicle inspections on both sides of the border.

At the same time, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security announced Operation Liberty Shield, a broad plan designed to scrutinize drivers, trucks, and freight crossing the border. The department promised
more agents to patrol and monitor land borders and major seaports, and more frequent and detailed screenings of vehicles and cargo.

Food and hazardous materials carriers are drawing the most attention. The Dept. of Health and Human Services has stepped up inspections of imported food, and the Dept. of Transportation has been asked to encourage hazardous material shippers and carriers to adopt emergency communications plans, employee ID checks, and security training for drivers.

Customs brokers reminded carriers and shippers to double-check line-release information to make sure it’s accurate and complete. “Advance information lets customs officials know what’s in the shipment before it arrives at the border,” said Larry Hahn, director of regulatory affairs for Livingston International, a Toronto company that operates one of North America’s largest networks of
customs brokers. “This helps them decide which shipments to physically inspect and prevents truck drivers from having to wait for missing information to be provided by the shipper.”

In Ontario, which accounts for almost 63 per cent of all trucks crossing the border, the provincial government pledged to alleviate congestion on roads leading to border points by establishing designated parking areas for trucks waiting for border clearance. It promised more police patrols as well as portable toilets and water stations for drivers.

The Ontario Trucking Association called for volunteers to help police guide trucks to the waiting areas should backlogs occur.

Truckers are being told to expect delays away from the border, as well. Operation Liberty Shield gives states a set of guidelines for evaluating the risks to critical transportation points like bridges and tunnels. In Ohio, for example, the State Highway Patrol reassigned troopers for increased patrols around the largest cities and tougher security screenings at truck inspection stations.

Meanwhile, there is pressure on Ottawa and the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency to simultaneously step up inspections on trucks coming into Canada and to ease the threat of massive border congestion that would clog just-in-time manufacturing.