The Abbotsford Sumas Border Improvement Project
Phase I
The Abbotsford-Sumas Border Improvement Project was a binationally funded effort to identify constraints and develop solutions for the border crossing between Abbotsford, British Columbia and Sumas, Washington.
The Abbotsford - Sumas border crossing is recognized as a significant commercial and passenger vehicle port between Canada and the United States. The North American Free Trade Agreement, increasing populations and road improvement on either side of the border has led to increased traffic volumes through the border crossing. Since passage of NAFTA, there has been a 113 percent increase in the volume of southbound trucks and a 79 percent increase in the volume of northbound.
The increase in traffic volume has resulted in constraints and safety hazards at the border crossing. Due to a lack of parking for southbound commercial vehicles, trucks often block access to booths for both automobiles and other trucks. Traffic blockages have led to dangerous driving conditions and congestion through the residential community of Huntingdon, BC. Access to the duty free store is also often blocked due to truck parking. Northbound traffic often queues through the center of the City of Sumas, blocking access to cross-town local traffic and interefering with commerce at downtown businesses.
This study was the first of its kind to integrate local, regional, and national funding partners from both Canada and the United States to address the issues facing a binational border environment. All planning efforts were coordinated and overseen by a project subcommittee of the IMTC which included the following organizations:
- City of Sumas, Washington
- City of Abbotsford, British Columbia
- WA State Department of Transportation
- B.C. Ministry of Transportation
- Transport Canada
- Canada Border Services Agency
- U.S. Customs & Border Protection
- Whatcom Council of Governments
The project was co-managed by the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and the Whatcom Council of Governments. B.C. Ministry of Transportation performed all tasks relating to the scope of work on the Canadian side of the border, and Perteet Engineering, Inc. completed the U.S. portion of work.
Seven tasks were identified for the project:
- Task 1 - Data collection and data needs analysis
- Task 2 - Data and mapping acquisition
- Task 3 - Analysis of current performance and identification of deficiencies
- Task 4 - Estimation of future demand and analysis of future performance
- Task 5 - Development and initial screening of improvement options
- Task 6 - Detailed evaluation and shortlist of alternatives
- Task 7 - Recommendation of improvements and phasing plan
- Task 8 - Final report
The first phase of this project was completed at the end of 2002 and resulted in a final report from both the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Perteet Engineering, Inc. The report outlined recommended improvements to infrastructure and operations to address the concerns identified by stakeholders.
B.C. Ministry of Transportation recommended the construction of a commercial staging area just north of the border crossing on a vacant lot, which would provide parking for commercial vehicles and redirect commercial traffic away from passenger traffic heading south.
Perteet Engineering recommended both short-term and long-term solutions to address queuing through Sumas, WA. The primary recommendation is for increased border staffing at Canada Border Services Agency's port-of-entry. The long-term recommendation is to develop an additional passenger vehicle holding area for northbound vehicles, and to construct a second northbound commercial booth at the Canada Border Services Agency's port-of-entry.
Phase II
Resulting from Phase I of the Abbotsford-Sumas Border Improvement Project, construction was completed on a new commercial vehicle staging area off B.C. Highway 11. The B.C. Ministry of Transportation worked closely with Canada Border Services Agency, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, the City of Abbotsford, and the Huntingdon Duty Free store to align the new staging area.
The new staging area includes parking space for trucks to eliminate long southbound queues caused by commercial vehicles parked in the roadway. It also realigns the commercial vehicle entry into the U.S. port-of-entry, separating commercial and passenger vehicles at the intersection of B.C. Highway 11 and 4th Avenue.
The commercial vehicle approach to the U.S. port-of-entry is aligned with the new portal radiation monitors installed by U.S. Customs & Border Protection. There is also an approach constructed for a second truck processing lane.
Project Funding
Phase I (Study):
- U.S. Federal Highway Administration: $120,000
- WA State Department of Transportation: $30,000
- Transport Canada: $23,000
- British Columbia: $23,000
- Abbotsford, BC: $2,000
- Sumas, WA: $2,000
Phase II (Huntingdon Staging Area):
- U.S. Federal Highway Administration: $520,000
- B.C. Ministry of Transportation: $630,000
- Transport Canada: $630,000