Text of Senator Charles Schumer's Letter to Robert C. Bonner, Commissioner United States Customs Service

Dear Commissioner Bonner:

I am writing to respectfully urge you to speed up the timeline for deploying the Nexus "speed-pass" program at the Champlain-Lacolle border crossing so it can be in place for the heavy traffic flow during this summer's tourism season. I commend you for announcing a firm deadline for getting the program implemented, but strongly suggest moving the August date up to the beginning of summer.

As you know, with warmer temperatures come boosts in tourism. While heavy delays already cripple traffic and slow down commerce near the border, the influx of new visitors to the region will only exacerbate this problem.

Champlain/Lacolle is a valuable border crossing that has suffered from long and unacceptable traffic delays for years. Traffic flow almost triples at the Champlain border during the peak summer months of June, July, and August. In February 2001, 49,000 passenger vehicles traveled along the border, while that number jumped to 149,000 in July of the same year. This is particularly burdensome, because Champlain-Lacolle consistently ranks in the top six of all national border crossings in terms of the total volume and commercial value of the goods its trucks transport.

We are so close to finally realizing the dream of fixing up the Champlain-Lacolle border crossing, and that's an accomplishment in itself. But now we have to move the project past the finish lane, and that means pushing the installation date up two months so we can have the NEXUS system in place when we most need it. That's what's best for Champlain residents, tourists to the area, and for bringing commerce to the region.

As always, I appreciate your attention to this matter and stand ready to assist you in any way possible.

Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
U.S. Senator