The people of Western New York have had close relationships with our Canadian neighbors for hundreds of years.  Our communities are woven together and our economies are interdependent.  Seventy-eight years ago this cooperative spirit resulted in the construction of the Peace Bridge between Buffalo, New York and Fort Erie, Ontario.  Our mutual investment in the Peace Bridge has paid dividends many times over, producing commercial and economic development that would never have been possible if citizens of each country did not have easy access to the other side of the border. 

 

The Peace Bridge is the second busiest passenger vehicle crossing and the third busiest commercial crossing between the United States and Canada.  The commerce facilitated by this bridge is absolutely critical to the vulnerable Western New York economy.  Yet this vital piece of infrastructure has been in dire need of enhanced capacity for some time. 

 

In his first year in Congress, Brian was able to use his seat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to secure $8 million for construction of a new span at the Peace Bridge.  Senators Schumer and Clinton were able to secure $17 million for the project as well.  Together they have been working with local leaders and federal and state agencies to shake off years of inertia and to begin construction of this crucial project.  Brian is committed to seeing this project through to completion, and has vowed not to allow local, state, or federal stakeholders to lose sight of just how important it is to the future of Western New York that this project be completed expeditiously.