SAULT Ste. MARIE, Ont. — Federal funding for the long-awaited expansion of the Canadian half of the International Bridge’s customs plazas and inspections stations is "imminent," promises local MP Tony Martin.

According to the Northern Ontario Business News, Martin has been lobbying in Ottawa for bridge funding since 2006.

"This will be great news for Sault Ste. Marie as we slowly recover from the recession," said Martin in a statement.

Upgrading the customs plaza has been identified by the bridge authority as a priority project for the 4.5-kilometre span which is jointly operated by the State of Michigan and the Federal Bridge Corp. in Ottawa.

The funding would cover all the costs associated with redeveloping the Canada Customs stations and linking the property directly with the city’s truck corridor.

Meanwhile, the publication is also reporting that the City of North Bay is interested in partnering with Sault Ste. Marie on studying the viability of a "transpolar air cargo initiative."

Proponents of the idea suggest air cargo originating in the Asia-Pacific region could be transported over the North Pole to Sault Ste. Marie where it would be cross-docked, warehoused and distributed to North American markets by truck and rail.