Cianbro and its joint venture partner Northland Associates have broken ground on Phase 1 of a $215 million project to expand and modernize the U.S. land port of entry from Canada at Alexandria Bay, N.Y.
Pittsfield-based Cianbro is Maine’s largest construction company, reporting $607 million in revenues in 2015.
The U.S. General Services Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection representatives joined with regional dignitaries to participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking Aug. 30 to mark the start of construction on the phased project.
“Land ports of entry like this one are critical to the nation’s trade and security,” said Frank Santella, acting regional administrator of GSA’s Northeast and Caribbean Region.
Phase 1 includes construction of a commercial inspection warehouse with inspection bays, commercial inspection lanes (with split-level booths for commercial and non-commercial traffic), impound lot, and a portion of elevated parking. Phase 1 also includes acquisition of necessary parcels of land from Jefferson County and New York State Department of Transportation.
The award made by U.S. General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service for the first stage of the project is worth $90.8 million and is expected to take two-and-a-half years to complete. Remaining phases are expected to be completed by 2022.
Project to improve port’s efficiency
The completed land port will feature larger queuing and secondary inspection areas, more inspection lanes and better-defined truck queuing and maneuvering areas in addition to other enhancements to increase the overall efficiency of the port and improve traffic flow.
“A safe, secure, and modern land port is critical to ensuring an efficient flow of commerce and people that support American jobs and economic growth,” Santella said. “Successful execution of this project will benefit trade and commerce, create jobs, and bolster our nation’s security.”
Earlier this summer, when the award was announced, Cianbro’s communications manager Alan Grover told the Morning Central the Alexandria Bay job was “great for the company and helps us continue to grow.”