Three new inspection booths eased traffic flow at Blue Water Bridge over Memorial Day holiday

Contact: Janet Foran, MDOT Office of Communications,
 foranj@michigan.gov
517-335-7176

Agency: Transportation

Fast Facts:
- Three new inspection booths are now available at the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron.
- The booths are easing congestion and providing extra capacity.
- Work already has begun on three additional "staggered" booths, expected to be done late June/early July.
- The initiative is being funded jointly by MDOT, BWBC and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

May 30, 2012 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Blue Water Bridge Canada (BWBC) are pleased to announce that the first phase of construction on the U.S. plaza inspection booths is now complete. On Friday, May 25, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) opened three new "stacked" inspection booths, along with the three inspection booths that had been closed since April 10.

"We appreciate the patience and understanding of all of our customers during the construction period. We also appreciate the great work of CBP officers, BWBC and MDOT employees in managing traffic during this first phase so that delays could be kept to a minimum," said Stan Korosec, vice president, operations, BWBC.

"The next phase, which will add an additional three inspection lanes, will begin immediately," said Mike Szuch, manager, Blue Water Bridge, MDOT. "This phase will have only a minimal impact on traffic flow as only one lane, lane 13, will be out of service. The three newly added lanes will more than compensate for this closure. This second phase is expected to be completed by the end of June or early July."

The new phase includes construction of three "staggered" booths which allow cars to wait in the same lane, but pull into the first available booth - one of three. There may be intermittent single-lane closures during off-peak times (Monday through Thursday) for paving. Work on this phase will be completed in time for the busy July Fourth holiday.

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