A toll lane is being temporarily reinstated at the Blue Water Bridge in an effort to improve cross-border travel for some commercial drivers.
The FAST (Free and Secure Trade) Toll Lane will come back into use, as of January 8.
The program, a joint initiative by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), began in 2004 as a way of expediting the crossing process for commercial vehicles carrying eligible goods.
Federal Bridge Corporation Limited Senior Communications Specialist Alexandre Gauthier said the program was put on hold during the 2023 rehabilitation project at the Blue Water Bridge due to necessary lane closures.
"We fully understand the value this lane adds to the efficiency and the crossing experience. While it is a temporary measure, that's only because of the upcoming rehabilitation project in 2024 of our second span, which we call our Second Blue Water Bridge," he said. "We are committing to making sure operations align with the needs of our customers but due to some of our lanes having to close down for the project, we expect to not be able to keep the FAST Toll Lane open."
With that in mind, Gauthier said different strategies are still being explored for the upcoming project to maintain effective service.
Gauthier said the specific scope of work involved in the Second Blue Water Bridge Rehabilitation Project is still being ironed out with contractors and a timeline has yet to be finalized.
"The project will not affect the FAST Toll Lane in the long-term as far as we know," he said. "It should reopen when the project is over."
Gauthier said details of the upcoming project will be communicated to the public well before the start date.
Meanwhile, further details about the FAST program and eligibility can be found on the CBSA's or CBP's websites.
The FAST Toll Lane will be subject to traffic demands and staffing availability. Those who misuse the lane will be rerouted through the CBSA inspection area and directed to the back of the proper queue in a regular truck toll lane.