HOMELAND SECURITY: Border crossings undergoing upgrades

Staff Reports
The Tonawanda News

October 22, 2008 12:07 am

— Travelers going across the three local bridges to Canada should plan for delays during the next month.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is installing Radio Frequency Identification Technology at all four border crossings. Installation will occur simultaneously at the Rainbow, Lewiston-Queenston and Peace Bridge border crossings, starting this week and is scheduled for completion by Nov. 23.
In an attempt to minimize the impact, construction will only occur during weekdays and only two lanes per crossing will be under construction at a time, with each lane taking approximately two days to complete.
The use of RFID technology will provide border officers with passenger and law enforcement information as the traveler approaches the primary inspection booth. The hope is the process will result in reduced processing time and a more secure process.
“We are very cognizant of border wait times” said Buffalo Port Director Joseph Wilson. “CBP will staff all available primary lanes commensurate with arriving traffic, and will maintain staffing in those lanes until traffic subsides.”
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires the use of compliant documents that prove both citizenship and identity by June 1, 2009. RFID technology will be used in passport cards, enhanced driver’s licenses, and trusted traveler program cards such as NEXUS and Free and Secure Trade.
RFID is touted as a secure technology that captures a randomly assigned number from the document just as the traveler approaches the border inspection station. No personal data is contained or transmitted by the RFID cards; the numerical identifier serves only as a pointer to gather information from CBP’s secure network for the officer.
Travelers are encouraged to prepare for cross-border activity in advance. Travelers can obtain local border traffic conditions by visiting niagarafallsbridges.com or by calling the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission’s toll free number at 1-800-715-6722.