SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OMNIBUS BILL INCLUDES $132 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE ALEXANDRIA BAY PORT OF ENTRY PROJECT
Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $132 in federal funding for the Alexandria Bay Port of Entry Project. Funding was provided through the recently announced omnibus bill and will support the second phase of renovations for the project. Schumer and Gillibrand secured funding for phase one of the project in 2015 after nearly a decade of advocating the federal government to improve the border crossing.
“After breaking ground last year, we can now rest assured knowing the long over-due, and desperately needed makeover of the Alexandria Bay Port of Entry can finally be completed. With phase one funded, these new vital funds for phase two will push this critical project over the finish line,” said Senator Schumer. “The movement of people, goods, tourists and services across the border is the lifeblood of the North Country’s economy and this massive $132 million federal investment in a safe, modern and efficient port of entry will undoubtedly support regional growth and deeply enrich the local economy.”
“These federal funds are a significant investment for the North Country,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Alexandria Bay Port of Entry connects travelers and goods between the United States and Canada, and its modernization will help create more efficient border crossings and provide opportunities for commerce and tourism in the region. This will help support the North Country’s economy for generations to come.”
The Alexandria Bay Port in Jefferson County is a major land crossing between the United States and Canada. The upgrades to the Port of Entry, which are overseen by the General Services Administration, include renovations to vehicle inspection lanes, a commercial inspection warehouse, an impound lot, and a new veterinary building. Work to upgrade the Port of Entry can continue into the second phase following passage of the omnibus spending bill, and it will include the construction of a new main administration building, a new outbound inspection facility, a new veterinary services building, non-commercial inspection lanes, a new non-commercial secondary inspection plaza, new non-intrusive inspection buildings, and employee and visitor parking areas.
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