Overview

Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we will modernize five land ports of entry in Vermont:

• The Alburg Springs Land Port of Entry is in Grand Isle County, Vermont, just west of Lake Champlain. The two-story main port building is over 3,000 square feet and has a two-bay detached garage. They were constructed in 1937 and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The LPOE accommodates non-commercial and permit-only commercial vehicles entering the U.S. from Canada southbound on Alburg Springs Road. Capacity is expected to increase from 1,100 commercial vehicles annually in 2018 to 26,000 passenger vehicles when the project is finished.
• The Beebe Plain Land Port of Entry is one of 12 surviving facilities erected between 1931 and 1937 along the Vermont-Quebec border. The main building and garage are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The new capacity is expected to accommodate 80,000 passenger vehicles annually.
• The Highgate Springs Land Port of Entry is en route to St. Armand, Quebec, Canada. It is one of the busiest ports in New England. Future upgrades to a nearby highway will link Montreal to Boston with a continuous highway system.
• The Norton Land Port of Entry is en route to Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. The port has a main building, truck facility, and two garages. The main building was constructed in 1933 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Capacity is expected to increase from 12,000 commercial vehicles a year to 31,000 passenger vehicles.
• The Richford Land Port of Entry is in a remote rural area. The one-and-a-half-story border inspection station is almost 8,000 square feet and was designed in the Colonial Revival style. It was constructed in 1934 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Capacity is expected to increase from 2,600 commercial vehicles a year to 82,000 passenger vehicles when complete.

Supply chain

Billions of dollars in goods and services cross U.S. borders every day. Recent supply chain challenges have underscored the importance of strengthening America’s ports, waterways, and freight networks. These projects will help make our economy more resilient to supply chain challenges.

Jobs and economic impact

Modernizing our land ports will create good-paying jobs for working families and promote opportunities for small businesses. Adding commercial, passenger vehicle, and pedestrian inspection capacity will accommodate more traffic. This benefits the surrounding restaurants, stores, gas stations, and other businesses.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Our renovations will enable a better flow of people between the U.S. and Canada. This connects our communities and enhances diversity, equity, and inclusion in work, social, and everyday life.

Sustainability

When these land ports are more functional, they will sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate human health and environmental impact, and increase the federal government’s mission readiness and resilience to climate change. We aim to provide long-lasting and durable facilities that are sustainable, climate resilient, low maintenance, technologically efficient, and flexible.

Security

After our projects are completed, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other federal inspection agencies can use the latest technology to identify high-risk activity and shipments, combat drug trafficking, and increase operational security. Some of the ports are poorly configured without enough space for commercial vehicles and buses, which impacts visibility, queuing lengths, and overall service. Historic facilities require updates for today’s national security mission. More secure land ports enhance the safety of officers, travelers, and the public.

Local impact

These projects will improve the quality of life for anyone who lives nearby, works at, or uses the border crossings. Modern, functional, secure, and sustainable ports benefit economic, cultural, and environmental conditions for both countries.