FORT ERIE, Ont. — Construction of Phase Two of the border enhancements at the Peace Bridge is now underway, the Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority has announced.

This is the second and final phase of construction which the bridge authority says will improve the Canadian Border Plaza at the Peace Bridge. The goal is to reduce border congestion and expand capacity at the crossing.

The federal government and the bridge authority are sharing the $42 million cost of the upgrades.

“The Peace Bridge is Canada’s third busiest crossing for passenger vehicles and trucks,” said Welland MP John Maloney, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre. “I am pleased that these improvements to the Canadian Plaza will help ensure that goods, services and people move smoothly and safely through this critical border point.”

Phase One, which is now complete in Canada, involved relocating toll booths to Canada, constructing a new truck road exiting the customs booths and implementing a truck staging area and FAST bypass lane. Phase One work continues on the U.S. side with the construction of new commercial customs booths. Together, the Phase One enhancements will increase commercial capacity and efficiency by 75 per cent, the bridge authority says.

Phase Two improvements include extending the truck queuing lane and relocating the primary and secondary customs traveller facilities.

“These changes will make more efficient use of plaza space, provide easier access to the NEXUS lane and keep standing traffic off the bridge, allowing more flexible, efficient lane utilization,” said John Lopinski, chairman of the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority.