Regional Border Infrastructure Update

SR 539 / Lynden-Aldergrove Port of Entry Improvements

Todd CarlsonPlanning and Engineering Services

Canada-United States Transportation Border Working Group Spring PlenaryRed Lion Inn - Seattle, Washington

April 18, 2012

Overview

Lower Mainland BC / Northwest Washington

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Lynden/Aldergrove Border Crossing … a closer look…

So what is the problem?

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A very under used roadway

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A little data …

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• In 2009, this vital port processed $496 million in Washington exports and $38 million in British Columbia exports

• Second busiest U.S.- Canada commercial crossing in British Columbia (after Pacific Highway)

Technical Assessment of the Aldergrove/Lynden Port of entry prepared by the Whatcom Council of Governments for the International Mobility and Trade Corridor Project (IMTC)

Re-routing Impacts

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• Aldergrove-Lynden serves a distinct population of carriers and shippers

• Without this crossing a significant amount of additional VMT and GHGs would be produced

Technical Assessment of the Aldergrove/Lynden Port of entry - Whatcom Council of Governments

Technical Assessment of the Aldergrove-Lynden Port of Entry

Technical Assessment of the Aldergrove/Lynden Port of entry - Whatcom Council of Governments

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Technical Assessment of the Aldergrove-Lynden Port of Entry

Technical Assessment of the Aldergrove/Lynden Port of entry - Whatcom Council of Governments

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WSDOT / CBSA Discussions

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• CBSA and WSDOT are close partners

• CBSA’s POE built in 1972 – Over 40 years old

• Meeting of WSDOT and CBSA March 2011 to discuss plans to rebuild the POE and the potential to add NEXUS

• WSDOT allocates $250k to begin design process

• CBSA and WSDOT begin design level coordination

Scope of the Project

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• Add 2nd lane for NEXUS• Widen shoulder for

trucks• Add truck spur• Potential for separate

FAST lane

Existing CBSA facility looking north

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SR 539 Project

SR 539 Project

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SR 539 ProjectRISKS• Coordination with border agencies: CBP/ GSA & CBSA,

could prolong important design decisions.

• Limited Access Process – appeals could impact project schedule.

• ROW acquisition – Unwilling seller.

• Roadway Section – may need to construct the entire truck lane in PCCP concrete. Scoping estimate assumes HMA south of spur.

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For more information on (Topic of Presentation) Please contact:

Todd Carlson

(360) 757-5980

carlsot@wsdot.wa.gov

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