28 July 2008

Border Trade Alliance renews call for ports of entry funding

The following article is excerpted from the 24 July 2008 edition of “American Shipper”.

In a letter submitted [on 23 July] to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, the Border Trade Alliance urged expedited fulfillment of infrastructure projects at U.S. land ports of entry vital to North American economic activity.

The Senate committee oversees the Department of Homeland Security and General Services Administration.

"Overburdened and aging infrastructure at U.S. (ports of entry), combined with new security checks, is now unable to sustainably support an explosive increase in surface trade, up 172 percent since 1993, totaling $797 billion last year between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners," BTA said in a statement. "The result of which is massive congestion at our borders to the detriment of millions of lost dollars per day in supply chain inefficiencies, worker time, damaged goods, lost tourism, negative environmental impacts, and wasted fuel."

BTA specifically urges the Senate Committee to press GSA and presumptive Administrator Jim Williams, who may be appointed after a Senate hearing this Thursday, to utilize any remaining 2008 funding to expedite the delivery of current port infrastructure projects, as well as fulfill previously outlined commitments to upgrade infrastructure at U.S. land ports….

BTA pointed out that earlier this year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Assistant Commissioner Thomas Winkowski called for 10 years of $500 million funding per year for infrastructure improvements….