Transport Canada Technology Investment in International Crossings Will Assist Trucking Industry and Their Customers
TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – July 17, 2012) – The trucking industry is the key player in keeping Canadian products competitive. The Government of Canada’s investment in border infrastructure has assisted the industry in becoming more efficient in making its international deliveries; but today’s announcement by the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities shows that border investments, beyond those of bricks and mortar, can also assist Canadian products getting to US destinations more efficiently.
The announcement today is further indication of the federal government’s clear commitment to the Perimeter Vision Action Plan announced by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama in December 2011. Contained in the action plan is the commitment to invest in improved shared border infrastructure, complete with installation of technology at the top 20 crossings over the next three years to measure and report border wait times.
“The opening of new bridges, like the one for Windsor-Detroit, and additional truck lanes are critical to the ability of Canadian manufacturers to ensure that their goods can get to their U.S. customers on time. The promise of future electronic highway signs that will provide real time delays at the two major Niagara crossings will provide certain carriers with real options to avoid costly delays at the Niagara,” said Stephen Laskowski, Senior VP, Canadian Trucking Alliance.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance membership had been working with Transport Canada for several years trying to identify various ways to utilize current technology adopted by the trucking industry to provide real time data on border delays. Today’s announcement by Minister Lebel is the result of this joint effort by industry and government.
“This project is a great example of industry-government cooperation to make the border work better,” added Laskowski.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) will be working with the federal government to ensure that this technology is utilized at appropriate international crossing across Canada.