"This project is long overdue and critically important to our region. Our federal partners deserve our thanks for staying committed to making sure this project was funded," she said, offering her thanks to Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik for their support of the effort.
She also praised Robert Horr, executive director of the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, for constantly advocating for the renovation work at the Alexandria Bay Port of Entry.
"We have a special relationship in the North Country with our friends north of the border. Our economies are linked, and the work at the port of entry will be beneficial in easing the border crossing process for our Canadian neighbors who play such an important role in our region's commerce and tourism industry," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"The improvements being made at the port of entry will enhance border security efforts as well as improve the efficiency of moving people and products between our two countries," she added.
She also noted work on the planned two-phase $212 million project will also benefit the region's economy during the construction work at the site.
The project will address traffic issues by expanding the queuing area, increasing the number of primary inspection lanes, increasing the area for secondary inspection, providing safer and more secure vehicle parking, and safer, more well-defined truck queuing and maneuvering areas.
The existing port of entry consists of four primary building constructed in 1969 and contains 52,261 usable square feet of office and inspection space.
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) awarded a contract to a joint venture between Northland Associates of Liverpool and the Cianbro Corporation, based in Pittsfield, Maine, for the facility-wide modernization and expansion of the U.S. land port of entry at Alexandria Bay, New York.
The phased project is expected to be fully completed in July 2022, with the first phase completed by 2019.
The approximately $260 million project will replace the existing port.
Plans call for the construction of a commercial inspection warehouse with inspection bays, commercial inspection lanes (with split-level booths for either commercial or non-commercial), impound lot, and a portion of the elevated parking over the commercial side.
The second phase, according to the U.S. General Services Administration, includes construction of a new main administration building, a new outbound inspection facility, a new veterinary services building, non-commercial inspection lanes, a new non-commercial secondary inspection plaza, new non-intrusive inspection buildings and employee and visitor parking areas.
IN THE PHOTO: