Rendering of the future port of entry at Dunseith, N.D. (General Services Administration)
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The U.S. General Services Administration has approved a two-year, multimillion-dollar modernization effort at a border crossing between North Dakota and Canada.
The state’s 63-year-old Dunseith border crossing will undergo a major improvement project that aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve inspections. The project is intended to revamp the 13,439-square-foot land port of entry — built in 1961 — into a more secure, efficient and high-capacity facility.
“The port currently lacks primary and secondary inspection facilities that will be upgraded with this modernization,” a GSA spokesperson told Transport Topics. “The project proposes four incoming inspection lanes, including one to accommodate oversized loads, all other lanes are proposed to be 14-foot wide and accommodate commercial traffic. There will also be improvements to the operations facility to help improve and support the operations of federal inspection agencies.”
The agency on July 22 awarded a $94 million contract to McGough Construction, based in the Minneapolis area, to replace all existing outmoded buildings at the Dunseith port crossing on U.S. Route 281. The design-build contract will pay for all design, construction, labor, equipment and materials for the new port opposite Canada’s Manitoba Province. Construction on the project is slated to start in May 2025. The target for core completion is 2027.
The Dunseith port of entry was built in 1961. (General Services Administration)
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 28,800 trucks passed through the Dunseith crossing last year.
“Modern facilities equipped with modern technology and additional capacity for inspection will allow for Customs and Border Protection to facilitate more commerce, and provide for more effective and efficient inspection processes,” the spokesperson noted. “The design for the port will not only help increase capacity for the port but it will also help meet the operational needs of the federal agencies that operate there. The completed project will provide safe, efficient and secure facilities that will serve the central North Dakota region for generations. This enhancement will increase border security while decreasing wait times for travelers.”
The expansion of the number of inspection lanes from two to four is intended to alleviate congestion and backups for commercial vehicle traffic. “The inclusion of modern primary and secondary inspection facilities will allow for government staff to perform inspections effectively and efficiently. This will be assisted by new drive-through technologies to speed up the trade of commercial goods and livestock entering the U.S.,” the GSA spokesperson added.
Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) welcomed the contract award. “As a northern border state, North Dakota’s ports of entry are essential for travelers and the flow of commerce,” Cramer said “The modernization of Dunseith Port of Entry will help bring the border crossing into the 21st century and be equipped to meet the national security needs of today and the future. The completion of this project will facilitate even greater trade and security cooperation between Canada and the United States.”
In announcing the contract, Denise Maes, regional administrator of GSA’s Rocky Mountain Region, remarked, “We are not just building a new infrastructure, we are chartering a more efficient, sustainable and resilient gateway for the future.”
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