Minor delays expected while the NEXUS-only bridge undergoes repairs

 LEWISTON, NY August 3, 2012 – The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, operator of three of the four Niagara River bridges between Western New York and Southern Ontario, is alerting motorists to potential minor delays when the NEXUS-only Whirlpool Bridge undergoes a deck replacement.

Construction will take place on the Whirlpool, which only allows car crossings using NEXUS passes, from August 8 to Sept. 27. The bridge experiences an average of 1,400 daily crossings.

The commission, which also operates the Lewiston-Queenston and Rainbow bridges, is working with Oakgrove Construction Inc., a general contractor specializing in heavy/highway construction with an emphasis on bridge replacement and reconstruction.

Motorists should be aware that traffic will be reduced to a single lane from August 8 through August 29, and again on Sept. 4 through Sept. 26. Traffic personnel will facilitate two-way traffic to minimize delays.

The Whirlpool Bridge will close early, at 7 p.m., on August 22 and reopen at 7 a.m. the next day. It will also close early, at 7 p.m., on Sept. 18, and reopen at 7 a.m. the next day.

 In observance of the U.S. Labor Day Holiday, the bridge will be open to two-way traffic August 30 through Sept. 3.

“We are making every effort to minimize any delays during construction,” said NFBC General Manager Lew Holloway. “Traffic personnel will be in place to facilitate a two-way traffic flow and the Whirlpool Bridge will be fully open for Labor Day weekend to support the elevated numbers of bridge crossings that we anticipate during U.S. and Canadian holidays.”

Construction will be completed on Sept. 27, re-opening the bridge to full two-way traffic.

For traffic updates, the CBSA recommends:

• Calling the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission’s toll free number at 1-800-715-6722 or call 511 for the latest traffic updates.
• Tuning to radio to 1610 AM. 
• Visiting any of the following websites: www.cbp.gov, www.cbsa.gc.ca, www.nittec.org, www.peacebridge.com, www.niagarafallsbridges.com
• Noting the NITTEC highway dynamic message signs with posted delays beyond 30 minutes.
• Registering at www.mynittec.org  to receive a free personalized email or text notification of border and regional traffic information.
• Accessing Twitter at www.twitter.com/CBSA_BWT.
• Using your cell phone to access travel information at wap.gc.ca or www.gc.ca.

About the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission

A Joint Resolution of the 1938 U.S. Congressional Third Session created the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. The Extra Provincial Corporations Act of the Province of Ontario, Canada licenses the NFBC. Canada and the U.S. are equally represented on the NFBC by an eight-member Board of Commissioners.  Initially established to finance, construct and operate the Rainbow Bridge, the Commission proved sufficiently efficient and effective to assume responsibilities for the Whirlpool Rapids (Lower) and Lewiston-Queenston Bridges.  The NFBC builds and maintains all facilities for Customs and Immigration functions on both sides of the international border. The NFBC is self supportive, largely through user fees (tolls) and private-sector tenant leases. NFBC is federally chartered to conduct international commercial financial transactions and issue federal (U.S.) tax-exempt bonds.