Canada and Ontario invest in new technology to keep border traffic moving smoothly

    SARNIA, ON, May 7 /CNW Telbec/ - Ms. Pat Davidson, MP for Sarnia -
Lambton, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, with MPP for Sarnia - Lambton, Caroline
DiCocco, on behalf of the Honourable Donna Cansfield, Ontario Transportation
Minister, today announced the introduction of new Intelligent Transportation
Systems technology at the Blue Water Bridge border crossing along Highway 402
to enhance safety and help improve the flow of traffic.
    "Intelligent Transportation Systems technology on Highway 402 will help
deliver an integrated transportation network that supports the economic
well-being and quality of life that the residents of Sarnia deserve," said Ms.
Davidson.
    "Innovative technologies at strategic locations, like border crossings,
are extremely beneficial for businesses and travellers," said Ms. DiCocco.
"The queue-end warning system is helping reduce collisions and ensure faster
clearance at the Blue Water Bridge border crossing."
    Both governments are contributing a total of $4.4 million for this
technology including:

    - pavement sensors that monitor vehicle speeds and, within 30 seconds,
      send traffic information to queue-end warning signs and to the Ontario
      Ministry of Transportation's Southwestern Regional Communications
      Centre. The warning signs will provide motorists with information on
      traffic conditions ahead; and
    - nine closed-circuit television cameras that will assist Ontario
      ministry staff to detect incidents and dispatch emergency services
      sooner. As a result, road emergencies and related traffic congestion
      will be resolved more efficiently.

    "This new technology will help keep this important transportation and
trade corridor moving," said Minister Cannon. "It demonstrates Canada's New
Government's commitment to working with its partners to improve Canada's
border transportation infrastructure."
    "This is one more example of Canada and Ontario working together to
support economic growth," said Minister Cansfield. "More than $115 million in
goods cross at this border point each day. Intelligent Transportation Systems
will keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely so that border delays are
minimized."
    This initiative is just one element of the federal and provincial
governments' Action Plan for Intelligent Border Crossing. Other technology
investments include traffic management systems, traveller information systems
and commercial vehicle and passenger car pre-screening systems.
    The Government of Canada's funding for this project comes from the
$600-million Border Infrastructure Fund. The fund provides financial
assistance for infrastructure projects that reduce border congestion, improve
the flow of goods and services and expand existing infrastructure.
    This year, the Government of Ontario is investing over $1.7 billion in
highway improvements through its five-year ReNew Ontario infrastructure
investment plan. This investment will strengthen Ontario's economic advantage
and create opportunities for the Province's residents and businesses.


                                 Backgrounder
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               INTELLIGENT BORDER SYSTEMS AT BLUE WATER BRIDGE
               -----------------------------------------------

    The governments of Canada and Ontario have invested in new technology to
help improve safety and traffic flow on the section of Highway 402 that leads
to the Blue Water Bridge, as both governments recognize the importance of this
corridor to the Canadian economy.

    Blue Water Bridge/Highway 402 improvements
    ------------------------------------------

    Intelligent Transportation Systems technology has been installed along the
15-kilometre section of Highway 402 that leads to the Sarnia - Port Huron
border crossing. The technology used in this project includes electronic
queue-end warning signs; pavement vehicle sensors; 30 vehicle detector
stations; and nine closed circuit television cameras.
    These investments are one element of a larger Action Plan for Intelligent
Border Crossing that will include various other technologies to improve safety
and traffic flow.
    Previous road improvements and better safety practices are responsible for
a significant decrease in the number of border traffic collisions approaching
the bridge. Between January and July 2004, there were 26 collisions involving
vehicles operating in slow or stopped traffic. In the same seven-month period
in 2005, there were no similar collisions.

    Did You Know?
    -------------

    - The Blue Water Bridge is the fourth busiest Ontario border crossing and
      the second busiest commercial traffic border crossing in Ontario.
    - In 2005, 3.7 million cars and 1.8 million trucks crossed the bridge.
    - On a busy day, trucks account for 30 per cent of the traffic on the
      bridge.
    - Highway 402 carries between 15,000 and 25,000 vehicles per day.
    - The Blue Water Bridge Authority owns and operates the Canadian section
      of the Blue Water Bridge.

    Sarnia/Point Edward projects
    ----------------------------

    In addition to the project to construct a queue-end warning system along
Highway 402 from the Blue Water Bridge to Lambton Road 26, other projects
leading to this border crossing include:

    - rebuilding of Highway 402 from Lambton Road 26 to Highway 21, (phase 1
      has been completed and phase 2 is currently underway);
    - preliminary design for the westbound lane widening and improvements to
      Highway 402 on the approaches to the Blue Water Bridge easterly
      (completed);
    - widening of Highway 401 from Highway 402 to Wellington Road in London
      from four to six lanes (currently underway);
    - preliminary design for the relocation of municipal roads related to
      safety of the bridge's infrastructure (currently underway); and
    - cost-sharing the eastbound lane plaza reconstruction by Ontario and the
      Blue Water Bridge Authority (currently underway). This project is not
      funded through the Border Infrastructure Fund.

                                                                   May 2007

For further information: Contacts: Natalie Sarafian, Press Secretary,
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa,
(613) 991-0700; Jamie Rilett, Office of the Ontario Transportation Minister,
Toronto, (416) 327-9134; Nicole McNeely, Communications, Transport Canada,
Ottawa, (613) 993-0055; Sébastien Togneri, Executive Assistant to MP Pat
Davidson, (613) 957-2649; Bob Nichols, MTO Communications Branch, Toronto,
(416) 327-1158; Public Inquiries: (416) 235-4686 (GTA), 1-800-268-4686 toll
free, 1-866-471-8929 TTY; Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/listserv/and keep
up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. The Ontario Ministry of
Transportation is online at www.mto.gov.on.ca. This news release may be made
available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.