EBTC WORKSHOP ON BORDER PROJECTS: AVOIDING THE POTHOLES – PAVING THE WAY TBWG, Niagara Falls October 24, 2006 EBTC WORKSHOP ON BORDER PROJECTS: AVOIDING THE POTHOLES – PAVING THE WAY TBWG, Niagara Falls October 24, 2006 WALTER W. STEEVES EBTC

WHAT IS EBTC? Eastern Border Transportation Coalition EBTC MEMBERS TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES OF: Michigan, New York, Vermont, Maine Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador Associate Members: BUFFALO AND DETROIT MPO’S REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF NIAGARA June 15, 2005 WHAT IS EBTC? Eastern Border Transportation Coalition EBTC MEMBERS TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES OF: Michigan, New York, Vermont, Maine Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador Associate Members: BUFFALO AND DETROIT MPO’S REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF NIAGARA June 15, 2005

June 15, 2005 June 15, 2005

WHY DID EBTC HOLD A WORKSHOP ON BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS?

Montreal: October 4, Participants

WHAT DID EBTC WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN A WORKSHOP? OBJECTIVES To promote cooperation, coordination and consultation between/among various agencies involved in projects at or near the border To promote cooperation, coordination and consultation between/among various agencies involved in projects at or near the border

WHAT DID EBTC WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN A WORKSHOP? OBJECTIVES To promote cooperation, coordination and consultation between/among various agencies involved in projects at or near the border To promote cooperation, coordination and consultation between/among various agencies involved in projects at or near the border To share experiences of planning and constructing projects To share experiences of planning and constructing projects

WHAT DID EBTC WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN A WORKSHOP? OBJECTIVES To promote cooperation, coordination and consultation between/among various agencies involved in projects at or near the border To promote cooperation, coordination and consultation between/among various agencies involved in projects at or near the border To share experiences of planning and constructing projects To share experiences of planning and constructing projects To get a better understanding of all the processes and approval requirements To get a better understanding of all the processes and approval requirements

WHAT DID EBTC WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN A WORKSHOP? OBJECTIVES To promote cooperation, coordination and consultation between/among various agencies involved in projects at or near the border To promote cooperation, coordination and consultation between/among various agencies involved in projects at or near the border To share experiences of planning and constructing projects To share experiences of planning and constructing projects To get a better understanding of all the processes and approval requirements To get a better understanding of all the processes and approval requirements To identify issues that might need to be addressed to make the process more efficient To identify issues that might need to be addressed to make the process more efficient

AGENDA SESSION #1: Border ProjectIdentification and Scope SESSION #2: Project Planning SESSION #3: Project Construction SESSION #4: Operations

SESSION #1 DISCUSSIONS: Different Agencies : Different mandates Different Agencies : Different mandates Developing relationships Developing relationships Communication / Coordination- Include all Communication / Coordination- Include all “Champion” coordinator required “Champion” coordinator required Data exchange Data exchange

SESSION #1 OUTCOMES: All agencies must cooperate to ensure efficient border operations All agencies must cooperate to ensure efficient border operations Initial consultation on proposed projects should include all agencies which might have some involvement Initial consultation on proposed projects should include all agencies which might have some involvement Developing personal relationships is very helpful, particularly in addressing problems (crises) Developing personal relationships is very helpful, particularly in addressing problems (crises) Have to consider that the border is a “system” made up of individual parts and consideration is required to determine how new projects tie in Have to consider that the border is a “system” made up of individual parts and consideration is required to determine how new projects tie in Data exchange is beneficial Data exchange is beneficial

SESSION #2 DISCUSSIONS: Commitments from agencies Commitments from agencies Advance planning Advance planning Current experiences of Blue Water & Gateway projects Current experiences of Blue Water & Gateway projects Project funding Project funding Public consultation Public consultation Environmental approvals Environmental approvals

SESSION #2 OUTCOMES: Cooperation on environmental process on both sides of the border is beneficial (understand roles of others) Cooperation on environmental process on both sides of the border is beneficial (understand roles of others) Need commitments from all key agencies at earliest possible time Need commitments from all key agencies at earliest possible time Keep public well informed Keep public well informed Flexibility required to accommodate changes Flexibility required to accommodate changes Long lead times are required for projects Long lead times are required for projects

SESSION #3 DISCUSSIONS: Labor laws for construction Labor laws for construction Taxes & Duties on project materials Taxes & Duties on project materials Security on jobsite Security on jobsite Queenston-Lewiston and Calais/St.Stephen experiences Queenston-Lewiston and Calais/St.Stephen experiences Water vs. Land Crossing Water vs. Land Crossing

SESSION #3 OUTCOMES: There is a need for a “how to” guide on border projects There is a need for a “how to” guide on border projects Understand all of the processes and the time it will take to get approvals Understand all of the processes and the time it will take to get approvals Being an International Bridge Commission makes the process easier Being an International Bridge Commission makes the process easier There is a need to identify “old” regulations which should be considered for change or removal There is a need to identify “old” regulations which should be considered for change or removal Need for flexibility on worker security on the construction site Need for flexibility on worker security on the construction site

SESSION #4 DISCUSSIONS: ITS installation and maintenance ITS installation and maintenance Funding Funding CVO Inspections CVO Inspections Seaway International Bridge experience Seaway International Bridge experience

SESSION #4 OUTCOMES: Local agreements on snow and ice removal seem to work best Local agreements on snow and ice removal seem to work best Need for ongoing consultations Need for ongoing consultations Safety is a primary focus Safety is a primary focus ITS investments need to be prioritized ITS investments need to be prioritized Message signs need to be timely and accurate Message signs need to be timely and accurate Need for better understanding of CBP outbound inspection policy and its application at various crossings Need for better understanding of CBP outbound inspection policy and its application at various crossings Should look for opportunities to cooperate on data collection and sharing Should look for opportunities to cooperate on data collection and sharing

WORKSHOP SUCCESS ? LOOK BACK AT OBJECTIVES To promote cooperation, coordination and consultation between/among various agencies involved in projects at or near the border YES To promote cooperation, coordination and consultation between/among various agencies involved in projects at or near the border YES To share experiences of planning and constructing projects YES To share experiences of planning and constructing projects YES To get a better understanding of all the processes and approval requirements YES To get a better understanding of all the processes and approval requirements YES To identify issues that might need to be addressed to make the process more efficient YES To identify issues that might need to be addressed to make the process more efficient YES

Some comments from Participants: “I want to commend the EBTC group for arranging such a fine session this year. This discussion even surpassed last years effort which I thought was great. I see this gathering emerging as a vehicle which has the potential for launching significant efforts to improve communication and coordination of all stake holders at the border. ” “I want to commend the EBTC group for arranging such a fine session this year. This discussion even surpassed last years effort which I thought was great. I see this gathering emerging as a vehicle which has the potential for launching significant efforts to improve communication and coordination of all stake holders at the border. ” “Thanks again for organizing the EBTC October 2006 meeting in Montreal. The attendance was a reflection of past successes and the presentation at the workshop a guarantor of future participation. Congrats to you and the members!” “Thanks again for organizing the EBTC October 2006 meeting in Montreal. The attendance was a reflection of past successes and the presentation at the workshop a guarantor of future participation. Congrats to you and the members!” Thanks for such a well-organized workshop. I appreciated the opportunity to attend.” Thanks for such a well-organized workshop. I appreciated the opportunity to attend.”