Update on the new Canadian border stations and improvements

Both the U.S. Customs border stations at Grand Portage and International Falls will be significantly upgraded, but the work is still a ways off. Photo courtesy of the Government Services Administration (GSA)

While it’s exciting news that the border crossing stations in Grand Portage and International Falls will be significantly upgraded, those upgrades are apparently a ways off in the future.

Before much of anything is done, a GSA spokesperson said, “GSA will need to re-engage with the local community stakeholders, validate the preferred alternative from the feasibility study, begin site acquisition activities for the new site including negotiations with property owners, and advertise and award a contract for design and construction services.”

Last week it was announced that The International Falls and Grand Portage projects will make each port of entry more functional, sustainable and secure. Overall, the legislation passed invests more than $250 million in the two projects, which will also foster economic growth and job creation in surrounding communities.

The previous plan, identified as the Preferred Alternative from the Environmental Impact Statement and Feasibility Study and endorsed by the local community stakeholders, remains the plan GSA will pursue.

A Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was completed for the International Falls LPOE Project in September 2011, and a Record of Decision (ROD) was signed by GSA on January 12, 2012. GSA will prepare a supplemental EIS to ensure new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns are analyzed. The public will be involved in the process to the extent necessary to perform adequate analysis of the issues of concern.

Design and construction awards are planned for early 2023 and mid-2025, respectively. Completion of the International Falls LPOE is planned for 2029. Similar timelines are in place for the improvements coming to the Grand Portage Border station.