Responding to Senator Susan Collins’ request that the Van Buren Port of Entry be fully reopened as quickly as possible, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency that oversees the border station, announced that it will reopen the port to truck traffic later this week. The Port of Entry was closed due to recent flooding in the area. Senator Collins, who is the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security, recently called on CBP and the General Services Administration (GSA) to reopen the Van Buren as soon as possible. The port has already been opened to passenger traffic, but opening it to truck traffic will allow trade to resume to its pre-flood levels.
Senator Collins, who is the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee said, “The resumption of truck traffic through the Van Buren Port of Entry is another positive and major step to help the port return back to pre-flood operations. The recent flooding had such a devastating impact on Northern Maine, and a long-term closure of the Van Buren Port would have caused further problems for communities already suffering. I am grateful that officials at CBP and GSA worked so quickly to ensure that this port is fully operational as soon as possible.”
In addition, Senator Collins said she would continue to work with GSA and CBP to address the needs of northern Aroostook County, the safety of the CBP officers, and the damaged caused to the existing facility.
According to GSA officials, the port will be open to truck traffic beginning at 8 AM, Friday, May 23rd.