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May 1, 2005 12:00 PM

David Bradley, chief executive officer of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, and Paul Landry, president of the British Columbia Trucking Association, commend the Canadian provincial and federal government for moving ahead to ease congestion at the Pacific Highway Border Crossing by financing a new extension of the Highway 15 NEXUS/FAST truck lane in Surrey, British Columbia.

“This is money well-spent by governments and an investment in our future economic health,” said Bradley. “Dedicated lanes for commercial traffic are vital to the success of the FAST program across Canada. Shippers, carriers, and truck drivers need to see the benefits of enrollment in the FAST program — and dedicated lanes that reduce delays provide this benefit.”

“Over a million commercial vehicles cross at the Surrey border into the United States every year,” said Landry. “The extension of the NEXUS/FAST truck lane will reduce border delays and hopefully encourage more shippers to become FAST-approved.”

Construction of the $2.6 million highway extension is expected to begin in summer 2005 and be completed by spring 2006. Financing for the extension is provided for under the Canada/British Columbia Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program agreement signed in March 2002. The government of Canada will contribute $1.05 million and the province of British Columbia $1.55 million.