DETROIT, (Dec. 21, 2004) — Outgoing U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge told a delegation of border trade stakeholders that the busiest crossings along the northern border would introduce measures to increase capacity by 25 per cent over the next year.

David Bradley, CEO of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, was present for the announcement on the American side of the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit.

Applauding the news, he recommended some actions that might help achieve the objective, including: using the FAST card as the platform for other security measures in the process of being developed and implemented; ensuring the FAST enrollment process is improved; ensuring that the FAST program includes LTL and in-bond shipments; adding additional booths at specific crossings and ensuring the design of the booths makes sense; commercializing certain ports; supporting pre-clearance; and publishing the Trade Act compliance rates of customs brokers.

Bradley also took direct aim at the lack of meaningful and long overdue action to accelerate infrastructure improvements en route to the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont.

The recent introduction of additional truck booths southbound at the Ambassador Bridge for example has been of significant benefit, however, Bradley says that the trucks are still having to deal with Huron Church Road and with trade expected to grow, the relief may be short-lived.

The two governments recently announced that the pre-clearance pilot at the Buffalo-Fort-Erie Peace Bridge will proceed as well as one other border crossing. The pre-clearance pilot at the Peace Bridge will involve the re-location of all US primary and secondary operations for both commercial and passenger traffic from Buffalo to Fort Erie.

At the second pilot site, Canadian border functions will be moved to the U.S.