Collins, King Announce More Than $150 Million to Modernize Maine Land Ports

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) announced that Maine will receive more than $150 million to modernize five land ports of entry along the Maine border with Canada – strengthening supply chains to streamline commerce, creating jobs, and enhancing security and trade. This funding was provided through the U.S. General Services Administration and authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).   Senator Collins, the Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, was part of the core group of 10 Senators who negotiated the text of the bipartisan infrastructure law. 

“Efficient and modern land ports of entries are especially important to our state, where Mainers and our Atlantic Canada neighbors regularly cross the border to visit friends and family.  Ensuring the border’s smooth operation also supports manufacturers and agricultural producers by facilitating commercial trade, promotes cross-border tourism, and prevents threats such as drug trafficking,” said Senator Collins. “This investment that was made through the bipartisan infrastructure law I co-authored will improve five land ports across the State of Maine and help create good-paying jobs.”

“Maine’s border with Canada is an essential component of our northern communities, economy, and culture. The land ports along this border connect loved ones, allow for the efficient transportation of Maine-made products, and are major facilitators of mutually beneficial tourism,” said Senator King. “By upgrading these important land ports we can make the crossing easier for both commerce and pleasure while also improving border security. I’m glad the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is making significant investments in these critical crossing points, and look forward to seeing the impacts of the bill’s continued support for Maine and America.”

The funding will be utilized as follows:

• Coburn Gore will use the funding to construct a new main building and commercial inspection facility that will fully satisfy the requirements for public area, document processing, enforcement, support areas, staff services, building support, restrooms/showers, and non-commercial secondary inspection. The project includes onsite housing for CBP Officers.

• Calais-Ferry Point will use the funding to expand the existing historic facility with new state-of-the-art capability and capacity. The project will construct a secondary inspection canopy, an enclosed secondary inspection, three inbound lanes, an outbound lane and outbound bypass lane.

• Fort Fairfield will use the funding to improve line-of-sight of inbound traffic and streamline outbound traffic flow through the crossing.

• Limestone will use the funding to construct a state-of-the-art and expand capacity facility. The Main Port Building would allow for proper vehicular queuing and circulation, along with an expanded area for the incorporation of CBP’s new processing technology and security features.

• Houlton will use the funding to repair the existing building systems and site infrastructure to eliminate critical deficiencies and bring them into compliance with the GSA P-100 Standards. Building items in need of repair include building envelopes, elevators, mechanical systems, plumbing systems and the fire alarm. Site items in need of replacement include water service lines, the septic system and the underground fuel tanks.

These are among 26 major construction and modernization projects at land ports of entry across the United States that will be funded through IIJA.

The average land port of entry is nearly 40 years old and long overdue for upgrades. Modernizing these ports will strengthen supply chains, improve operational capabilities and facility infrastructure, spur economic growth, and bolster the country’s security. These projects are also an opportunity to incorporate sustainability features that will sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate the impact of buildings on the environment, and increase resilience to climate change.

Many of these modernization projects will also allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection to more effectively deploy the latest technology to identify high risk activity and shipments, combat drug trafficking, and increase operational security.

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