Author: Natalie Kinloch, CEO Federal Bridge Corporation
Have you ever wondered what keeps the heartbeat of Canadian-American trade pulsing? Look no further than Canada's international bridges, the spectacular landmarks that serve as the lifeblood of our economic relationship with the United States. The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (The FBCL), a Canadian federal Crown corporation, shoulders the responsibility of many of these vital arteries, maintaining them to be open every second of every day, all year round, at strategic locations like Sault Ste. Marie, Point Edward, Lansdowne (Thousand Islands), and Cornwall, Ontario.
Nestled mainly on Indigenous ancestral lands, these engineering marvels are much more than just crossing points; they're the backbone of a resilient North American supply chain and a robust tourism industry. At The FBCL, our mandate is a complex but rewarding one, involving partnerships with U.S. federal, state, and local entities. Our operational reality requires a delicate balance of stewardship, risk management, safety and security, traffic fluidity, and bi-national jurisdictional alignment, all while showing respect for the host communities.
"Last year alone, our bridges facilitated an eye-popping $175 billion CAD in trade, with 2.3 million commercial crossings and 5.3 million personal vehicle crossings. These statistics aren't merely numbers; they're real-time indicators of economic conditions."
In terms of sheer numbers, the story gets even more impressive. Last year alone, our bridges facilitated an eye-popping $175 billion CAD in trade, with 2.3 million commercial crossings and 5.3 million personal vehicle crossings. These statistics aren't merely numbers; they're real-time indicators of economic conditions. A surge or dip in these numbers could signify shifts in industries or market responses to specific events, giving us valuable insights into the health of our economy.
Our bridges are not just functional assets; they're powerful symbols, representing transition, change, travel, unity, advancement, and much more. They also become stages for human drama, occasionally facing surges or halts in traffic due to various safety or security incidents, which can range from system outages to large-scale social protests.
The last three years have tested our resilience, with varying levels of closures and travel restrictions affecting cross-border movement. But we've weathered the storm. Currently, cross-border is healthy but passenger traffic is at about 65% of its normal range, and the outlook remains optimistic. Our ability to maintain a high level of service during these challenges has been due to prudent governance and efficient financial management, allowing us to replenish capital reserves depleted during the crisis.
Financial sustainability is not just a corporate catchphrase; it's a cornerstone of our business model. Our focus on self-sufficiency means that we exercise full control over our revenue streams, which are then reinvested directly into the maintenance and rehabilitation of these bridges. Toll rates are set with the utmost consideration, knowing that they contribute to the transportation costs borne by every Canadian. Moreover, nearly 20% of our total expenditures are dedicated to providing free facilities for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), as required by Canadian law.
Beyond the movement of goods and people, what is paramount is the structural integrity of our bridges. There's no margin for error here. Our rigorous inspections and lifecycle asset management programs, aided by GPS technology, ensure the bridges' longevity and safety. With many of our major structures approaching their critical age of 75 years, major rehabilitations and replacements are not just planned; they're necessary.
"In essence, our bridges are far more than steel and concrete; they are the ties that bind us, not just to each other, but to a future of endless possibilities."
In essence, our bridges are far more than steel and concrete; they are the ties that bind us, not just to each other, but to a future of endless possibilities. So, the next time you cross one of these marvels, take a moment to appreciate the complex tapestry of planning, engineering, diplomacy, and sheer human effort that makes it all possible.
SPOTLIGHT ON MAJOR TRADE ROUTES
Blue Water Bridge
The Blue Water Bridge is a twinned, international crossing. It is one of Canada’s most vital ports of entry with its standing as the second busiest commercial land port with $145 billion CAD in traded commodities annually. With its linkage from Ontario’s Highway 402 to the U.S. Interstate 94 and Interstate 69 highways, the bridge is the preferred route for goods destined for such points as Chicago and the Southwestern U.S., including Texas and California. Conversely, the bridge facilitates the importing of goods into Canada, primarily into Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes.
"The bridge is an integral component of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) Superhighway facilitating trade between Canada and Mexico, as well as to Asian partners overseas via marine ports in California."
The bridge is an integral component of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) Superhighway facilitating trade between Canada and Mexico, as well as to Asian partners overseas via marine ports in California. Most recently, its host community of Sarnia-Lambton was designated a Foreign Trade Zone. The one-window approach makes for easier and more efficient navigation for businesses to access a diverse range of government services and supports that relieve duties, tariffs and taxes for importing and exporting.
Thousand Islands International Bridge
The crossing provides an essential connection between the Interstate 81 and Highways 401 and 416 transportation corridors and is known as the Capital Corridor linking Ottawa to Washington D.C. The crossing also provides a vital link to Eastern Ontario and beyond, while also allowing for an efficient trade route from the Eastern U.S. into the Toronto and Montreal areas. The direct access to major highway systems on both sides of the border, combined with $330 million in investments by Canadian and U.S. federal governments in new Ports of Entry that have been made in recent years, has set this crossing up for long-term success as a favoured trade route. In 2022, it carried approximately $25 billion CAD in trade value. It is a vital corridor toCanada’s economy and to tourism as well.
Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge (SSMIB)
The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge (SSMIB) is northern Canada’s, and, more specifically,Northwestern Ontario’s, portal to international land-based trade. Given its strategic location nestledbetween Lake Superior and Lake Huron, the SSMIB serves as the only land crossing available tonorthern industries, including important steel manufacturing. It is the only vehicular crossing between Ontario and Michigan within nearly a 600 kilometres radius. It links the Trans-Canada Highway and is a convenient route for goods transported from North Eastern and Eastern Ontario, and from Quebec to the Upper Great Lakes states. The crossing connects directly to the major north-south artery Interstate 75 and to Michigan Highway 28, which runs south of Lake Superior into Wisconsin and Minnesota. In 2022, it carriedapproximately $4 billion CAD in trade.
Seaway International Bridge (SIB)
The Seaway International Bridge connects Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York. It lies across major, rail, shipping, and Highways 401 and New York State Route 37 that connect Ontario and Quebec to the North Eastern United States including the Adirondacks. This crossing is unique in that bridges directly land, traverse and serve the cross-border Mohawk community of Akwesasne. In 2022, SIBC welcomed some 2.1 million vehicles and provided 1.7 million free transits in line with the Crown-mandated free passage obligations afforded to the Indigenous community.
For more information on the Federal Bridge Corporation, please visit their website at https://federalbridge.ca/
