The governments of Canada and Quebec announced a cost-sharing agreement for a $75.2 million project to develop the corridor along Highway 15 to the Lacolle-Champlain border crossing, which is the most important trade corridor between Quebec and New York State.

The Lacolle-Champlain border crossing is the busiest in Quebec and the sixth busiest in Canada. More than $15 billion worth of exported goods travel through this border crossing annually, and a daily volume of more than 2,000 trucks were handled here in 2001.
This project is composed of the following components:

• realignment and rehabilitation of Highway 15. Safety enhancements, such as upgrades to lighting systems, and signs will also be included;

• construction of a motor carrier safety inspection area at Lacolle (northbound), as well as dedicated lanes to improve access to U.S. Customs inspection booths;

• implementation of intelligent transportation systems for commercial vehicles, and installation of a traffic camera; and

• other improvements, including the rehabilitation of a rest area, construction of a parking area for trucks, and the installation of a windbreak.

This project supports the Smart Border Declaration, signed by Canada and the U.S. in December 2001.