Minnesota border crossings to receive upgrades
The International Falls port of entry. KSTP photo.
The border entry ports of International Falls and Grand Portage are due to undergo “modernization” projects, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced Friday.
The two projects will receive an estimated total investment of $250 million from funds made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal that was signed into law last November.
The GSA says that the improvements will “make each port of entry more functional, sustainable, and secure.”
“America’s land ports are vital to our economy and our security, with billions of dollars in goods and services crossing our border each and every day,” GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan said.
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar has expressed support for the project, saying, “land ports of entry play a critical role in the success of Minnesota’s economy by facilitating trade and tourism.”
The nearly 60-year-old Grand Portage border crossing will see an increase in traffic lanes in addition to upgraded security and screening.
International Falls is the “highest traffic volume port in Minnesota” and will be expanding capacity to meet current traffic needs.
The GSA is updating 26 land ports of entry around the country that they say nationally have an average age of 40 years old.