U.S. General Services Administration
U.S. and Canada join together to celebrate opening of new Madawaska port and international bridge
It’s not everyday that you get to sit for hours in the middle of four lanes of travel at a land port of entry. But that’s what approximately 250 people did on August 15, 2024 at the Madawaska Land Port of Entry in Maine.
A joint ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate both the grand opening of the newly constructed port and the Madawaska-Edumundston International Bridge.
Attendees from both the United States and Canada filled the seats to commemorate the decades-long project.
Following years of construction, the new Madawaska Land Port of Entry and the international bridge opened for traffic this summer. This marked the substantial completion of a project intended to facilitate economic, cultural and familial connections throughout the St. John Valley.
Multiple dignitaries gave remarks at the ceremony including GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan; Senator Susan Collins; Senator Angus King; Congressman Jared Golden; New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs; Rene Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska – Restigouche, New Brunswick; Kerry Skelton, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Office of Facilities and Asset Management; and MDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note.
The new port is a vital link for those that live in the region and depend on this cross-border community engagement, often crossing through the port daily for jobs and commerce.
“For us it was important for this facility to be anchored not just to this location but also to the local economy and local traditions,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “It makes sense to do that because we know that, ultimately, this project isn’t only about infrastructure, it’s about the human connections this crossing will foster…the opportunities to grow collaboration and grow trust across borders.”
Having a joint ribbon cutting gave people the opportunity to not only cut a ribbon at the port but on the bridge as well.
After the dignitaries finished their speeches, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Honor Guard marched attendees to the middle of the international bridge, where they met the Canadian Border Service Agency Honor Guard.
Stakeholders and dignitaries stood side by side at the line between the U.S. and Canada and cut a ribbon to signify the grand opening of the newly constructed bridge.
“This new bridge is a tangible connection that joins people, commerce, and cultures,” Bruce Van Note said. “The team at MaineDOT is proud of what we’ve accomplished with our partners at all levels of government on both sides of the international border. This bridge has been designed and built to provide a safe and reliable connection between Madawaska and Edmundston for the next 100 years.”
