U.S. General Services Administration
International Falls Land Port of Entry
The International Falls LPOE is located on Highway 53 at the foot of the International Bridge across the U.S./Canada border from Fort Frances, Ontario. The 20,419 gross-square-foot facility is the busiest and highest traffic volume port in Minnesota and currently processes more traffic than it was originally designed to accommodate. The project includes design and construction of new buildings in a site expansion and possible conversion of some existing buildings. The design will make a distinct architectural statement conducive to efficient travel, trade, and commerce. The new facility will also address traffic flow, port security, and inspections. The current, functionally-obsolete facilities house only CBP. The proposed new building construction will also house USDA.
LPOE details
Fact sheet: I-Falls LPOE Project [PDF - 128 KB]
Address: 2 2nd Ave, International Falls, MN 56649
Year constructed: 1993
Port size:
Current: 1.6 acres
Proposed: 20 acres
Budget: $249,629,000
Primary tenants:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Current status
Initial site investigation and design planning efforts are currently underway. The first design concept submission is due in December 2023.
Environmental review
The draft of the project's Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement is available for public review and comment, and GSA’s public hearing in support of this document will take place Nov. 8, 2023.
- Draft SEIS Public Meeting Recording, Nov. 8, 2023
- Draft SEIS Public Hearing Presentation [PDF - 3 MB]
- Federal Register Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Draft SEIS Published Oct. 27, 2023
- Draft SEIS Public Hearing Handout [PDF - 682 KB]
- Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) [PDF - 29 MB]
- Scoping Meeting Handout [PDF - 961 KB]
- Scoping Presentation [PDF - 1 MB]
- Public Scoping Meeting Recording Dec. 13, 2022
- Federal Register Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare a SEIS Published Dec. 9, 2022 [PDF - 188 KB]
Local updates
Nov. 8, 2023: Public Hearing
July 12, 2023: Design contract awarded
Dec. 13, 2022: Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement Public Scoping Meeting
Sept. 15, 2022: Local stakeholder meet-and-greet
Project news
November 1, 2023
GSA to host public hearing for Land Port of Entry modernization and expansion in International Falls
July 20, 2023
GSA awards $28.2 million for pre-design services for Minnesota Land Port of Entry
Dec. 7, 2022
GSA to host public scoping meeting for International Falls Land Port of Entry expansion
Oct. 6, 2022
GSA awards International Falls border project contract
Project timeline
| Planning | Design | Construction |
|---|---|---|
|
Supplementary environmental impact statement |
Design award |
Construction award Substantial completion |
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
GSA received $3.4 billion to invest in the nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. The law provides funding for LPOE modernization projects that will create new good-paying jobs, bolster safety and security, and make the economy more resilient to supply chain challenges — all while serving as models for sustainability and innovation.
Visit the Minnesota LPOE page for an overview of BIL projects there, as well as priorities, benefits and further information.
Sustainability opportunities
GSA will optimize site potential, including restoration of Rainy River shoreline, and minimize non-renewable energy consumption.
Also, GSA will have an opportunity to use environmentally-preferable products, including:
- Porous pavements and other permeable surfaces.
- Vegetative swales and revegetation.
GSA can protect and conserve water, enhance indoor air quality, optimize operational and maintenance practices, and obtain LEED Gold certification.
Community impact
Redesign and expansion of this land port, the busiest one in Minnesota with $12 billion in annual trade, will enable increased traffic volume and efficiency.
The local economy is fueled primarily by wood and paper products, led by the region's largest employer, a 100-year-old paper mill on 55-acres along the Rainy River. Local loggers, pulp-additive makers, eateries, stores, and other businesses generate profits by servicing employees, spouses, friends, and relatives of the mill, many of whom commute daily through the port.
Due to the abundance of natural beauty and outdoor recreation, tourism also contributes to the local economy. An expanded port will greatly facilitate tourist movement between International Falls and Fort Frances, Canada.