Dedicated FAST Infrastructure to Open at Blue Water Bridge January 5, 2004

The Blue Water Bridge will commence the use of dedicated lane and booth infrastructure for the Free and Secure Trade (F.A.S.T.) Program on January 5, 2004. This joint U.S./Canadian Customs and Immigration program offers expedited clearance to preauthorized importers, carriers and drivers through “designated lanes”.

F.A.S.T. approved carriers can utilize designated lanes on Highway 402 as they approach the bridge and a designated lane on the bridge itself direct to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection F.A.S.T. primary booth. Designated lanes and booths will also be available for trucks entering Canada. Essentially, during periods of high truck volume and congestion on Highway 402, a F.A.S.T. approved truck, instead of waiting in line, will be able to bypass the queue of non FAST trucks using the left lane directly to the toll booth and across to the Michigan side.

The Blue Water Bridge Authority (owners and operators of the Canadian portion of the crossing) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (owner/operators of the U.S. portion) have dedicated resources including new variable message signs on the bridge in order to ensure its’ success. A “FAST/EXPRES” placard has been developed and is currently being made available by the Blue Water Bridge to importers (shippers) who are eligible for the FAST program through their C-TPAT certification. FAST approved carriers must display these placards on their approach to the Bridge in order for Law Enforcement and Bridge Staff to confirm that the truck is indeed FAST approved.

For more information on the FAST program at the Blue Water Bridge please contact Stan Korosec, Vice President/Operations Blue Water Bridge Authority by phone at (519) 336-2720 or by email at skorosec@bwba.org .