Cross-border congestion at both the Canadian and Mexican borders was a key issue for the U.S., Mexican and Canadian foreign ministers who met in Santa Fe, N.M., to discuss the North American Free Trade Agreement over the weekend.

As NAFTA continues to increase trade and tourism, fears develop about how busy cross-border trade corridors could hinder new investment, raise transportation costs and hurt the environment.
According to the Toronto Star, Lloyd Axworthy from Canada, Madeleine Albright of the United States and Rosario Green of Mexico discussed these issues. The meeting included talks with the North American Institute, a non-profit organization with members from the three NAFTA countries.
The three ministers said they wanted to pursue enhanced cooperation along "green" transportation corridors, not just highway connection expansions between the three countries. In other words, they concluded that expanded cross-border traffic should be tied to sustainable development, not evolve into a growing source of environmental problems.
The ministers voiced concern about the urgency of getting the various levels of government together with business and environmental groups, along with truckers and railways, to discuss ways to facilitate smooth border crossings, because of the time it takes to carry out studies and make investments.
The three ministers plan to meet again in late September.