Unique highway inspection station under construction at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle

CHTEAUGUAY, QUE. – An inspection station on Highway 15 at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle is slated for construction as part of the Canada/Quebec Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program to improve the transborder trade corridor along Highway 15 between Montreal and Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle.

The project, an innovation for Quebec and for Canada, is being carried out jointly by the Government of Canada, the SAAQ [Quebec automobile insurance corporation] and the Quebec Department of Transport, which is also responsible for the implementation of the project.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to see this important project moving forward,” said Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre.

“These highway and border infrastructure improvements will result in a more efficient movement of goods and people and will also help strengthen Canada’s economic ties to the United States, which will benefit all Canadians.”

The work involves the construction of a control station on Highway 15, situated approximately 2.7 kilometres north of the border. This station will use intelligent transportation systems, comprising a vehicle detecting system, an embedded scale to weigh heavy vehicles on the highway, and automated identification systems for heavy vehicles, made up of a transmitter/receiver and cameras to provide optical recognition of licence plates, and variable message signs.

The intelligent transportation systems equipment in this new station will be integrated into the computer systems of the SAAQ, which will allow highway controllers to screen heavy vehicles before they are required to report for inspection.

The station should be operational by fall 2006, when a six-month testing period will begin. The total investment for this project is $21.6 million.