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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 9, 2004

SCHUMER SAYS NEW DATA SHOWS TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT THE PEACE BRIDGE HAVE IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY

After multi-hour delays brought traffic to a standstill during July 4 weekend, Schumer pushed Customs to increase staffing levels and better plan to meet peak traffic demands

Schumer's new data reveals: More auto lanes are now open earlier, processing times have improved up to 50% and delays are shorter since Schumer sounded the alarm of severe traffic delays in July

Labor Day traffic conditions on the Peace Bridge were far better than the excruciating delays suffered by motorists during the July Fourth holiday weekend

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that traffic conditions on the Peace Bridge have improved dramatically since he took US Customs to task in July over excessive delays (sometimes up to 5 hours) at the Buffalo border crossing. According to the Buffalo & Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, since Schumer responded to the outcry of angry motorists who called his Buffalo office in July, backups at the Peace Bridge are shorter, processing times for cars have improved by up to 50% and more auto lanes are open earlier during the week for morning commuters.

"Since we called attention to the horrid traffic problems motorists were having earlier this summer, the auto lanes have been open earlier and the delays have been shorter for people trying to get across the Peace Bridge," Schumer said. "There are always going to be delays at the border, but no one should ever have to suffer the kind of excruciating delays that motorists faced day after day earlier this summer."

US Customs is responsible for staffing the booths for cars and trucks coming into the US at the Peace Bridge. The Buffalo & Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, which manages operations at the bridge, has traditionally monitored the traffic and kept statistics on traffic volume, delays and processing times.

"Customs is responsible for making sure there is adequate staffing at the busiest times at the Peace Bridge," Schumer said, "and finally they took a look at the Peace Bridge Authority's numbers and started beefing up staffing in the auto booths at the peak traffic times. I'm happy to see them pay attention to this problem and so far the results are heading in the right direction."

According to statistics that Schumer's office obtained from the Peace Bridge Authority, delays over the Labor Day weekend were significantly shorter than they were over the Fourth of July holiday. For example, on the Monday holiday, there were 7 auto lanes open going into the US by 8:00 a.m., and 12 lanes open by noon. While there were some delays between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., they were nowhere near the 3 to 5 hour waits motorists suffered over the Fourth of July holiday.

Auto processing times have also improved. Between July 1st and 6th, the average auto processing time was 76 seconds, and in some instances processing took up to 190 seconds (average processing time for autos should be 38 seconds). According to the Peace Bridge Authority, auto processing times have improved up to 50%.

"Customs has been doing a better job at being trained observers and moving traffic that is low risk," Schumer said. "We are beginning to strike a better balance between being vigilant and keeping the traffic moving over the border. Now we need to continue that trend."

Another major problem motorists faced was that too few auto lanes were open during the early morning commute. In July, Schumer reported that severe weekday backups began as early as 6:40 a.m. Better staffing in the morning has also led to fewer delays since July. For example, on July 30th, a Friday, a third auto lane going into the U.S. was opened at 6:00 a.m., and no significant delays were reported all day. More recently, on September 2nd, a Thursday, a third auto lane opened at 7:00 a.m., and no serious delays were reported.

Weekend traffic has also improved. On August 8th, a Sunday, there were between 7 and 11 auto lanes open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and no significant delays were reported. According to the Peace Bridge Authority, traffic volume has remained steady all summer.

"Sunday backups used to start as early as 10:00 in the morning," Schumer said. "Now, we still see some delays as people return home from about 4 until 6:00 at night, but nowhere near the nightmare conditions we saw earlier this summer. I give Customs credit where credit is due, and I will be watching carefully to make sure that the traffic problems that were so out of control do not remain."

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