The GSA recently announced that the President's budget for next year will include Senator Collins' request for $3.269 million for the design of the new border station.
"It was important that all the stakeholders came together at this point to update each other on where we stand and what steps need to be taken next," said Senator Collins. "We have enjoyed good cooperation from everyone who is interested in creating a new border station at Calais-St. Stephen and made significant progress toward that goal. I look forward to continuing to work with all the partners in this project, to ensure it is completed as soon as possible."
Senator Collins recently sent a letter to the head of the GSA requesting adequate and immediate funds for the design and construction of the new Calais-St. Stephen border station. She pointed out that the current border crossing is the 8th busiest commercial crossing on the Canadian border, that truck traffic has doubled over the past ten years, and that the existing border crossing is heavily congested, causing significant traffic delays and security concerns.
"The new border crossing at Calais-St. Stephen will make tourist and trade relations across that section of our northern border easier and more efficient," said Senator Collins. "The sooner we can get all the pieces together to complete this project, the sooner we can all take full advantage of this valuable international gateway between the U.S. and Canada."