Forget new bridge, add more inspection booths

Congressman Brian Higgins’ claim that a Peace Bridge expansion is vital to our economy is just plain wrong. Take one look at how much manufacturing there is in Western New York and it becomes clear that the current bridge has plenty of capacity for our own region’s trucking needs. The trucks the expansion is for are just passing through, and there’s no money for us in that.

Higgins is also wrong when he says the expansion is needed for “people carrying money.” Our sports events are pretty well sold out now, the Canadians didn’t show up for the Bills even when they played in Canada and our mall lots are full of Canadian plates and cast-off clothes. Higgins has produced no evidence that these “people” exist, but even if they do, we could get them over here a lot sooner and millions of dollars cheaper by just throwing up another row of inspection booths.

Alternatively, if the expansion is really about “people,” get the trucks off the bridge entirely. Follow Warren Buffet’s lead and move the goods the green way, by train. Then there would be more than enough room for “people” without an expansion. While we’re at it, let’s get the people here on high-speed trains from Toronto, too.

This is a defining moment for Higgins and for Buffalo. What will the legacy be— a Mr. Magoo expansion to nowhere, or a bold Kennedy-esque vision?

Linda J. DeTine
Buffalo
as published in The Buffalo News