see also: in January 2009:   CBP Officers Discover 957 Pounds of Marijuana in Concrete Pipes   CBP Canine Detects $600,000 Worth of Marijuana at Douglas Port   CBP Officers Seize $80,000 of Marijuana at Naco Port of Entry   Border Patrol Stops Vehicle, Leads to Meth Seizure   CBP Officers at Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge Seize Fake $20’s Found during Outbound Inspection   Border Patrol Agents Rescue Woman Injured in Car Accident   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Arrest Wanted Sex Offender ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Wait Times - Airport and Border   NEXUS Program on the web:   Canada Border Services Agency   Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition (NITTEC)   The Peace Bridge   Niagara Falls Bridge Commission

contacts for this news release

Buffalo, N.Y. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are advising travelers to prepare for an increase in cross border travel this Saturday, in conjunction with the NCAA International Bowl played in Toronto, Canada.

The third annual International Bowl is an NCAA collegiate American football bowl game played at the Rogers Center in Toronto, and is the only post-season collegiate game played outside the United States. The 2009 International Bowl will feature a game between the Mid-American Conference Champions, University of Buffalo Bulls and the University of Connecticut Huskies. The game will begin at noon this Saturday, January 3.

The UB Bulls have advised that they sold close to 12,000 tickets for the game, with UCONN reporting tickets sales nearing 3,000. "We expect to see an increase in United States-bound cross border traffic starting as early 4 p.m., on Saturday, as fans return home from the game,” said Buffalo Port Director Joseph Wilson. “We have prepared for the increase in traffic and will staff all available primary inspection booths commensurate with the arriving traffic. Travelers are encouraged to check traffic conditions at all bridges and select the least congested crossing before deciding their route.”

Travelers can easily obtain current border traffic conditions by calling the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission’s toll free number at 1-800-715-6722 or by visiting the CBP Web site. ( Wait Times - Airport and Border ) Travelers can also visit any of the following Web sites:

• Canada Border Services Agency
  ( Canada Border Services Agency )
• Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition (NITTEC)
  ( Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition (NITTEC) )
• The Peace Bridge
  ( The Peace Bridge )
• Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
  ( Niagara Falls Bridge Commission )

Travelers should prepare for the inspection process before arriving at the border. Individuals should have their crossing documents available for inspection and be prepared to declare all items acquired outside the U.S.

Please note that as of January 31, 2008, CBP will no longer accept oral declarations of citizenship. All travelers, including U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and over need to present documentary proof of citizenship. Travelers can use a stand alone document, such as a passport or NEXUS card. Those who do not have a stand alone document must carry proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate (original or copy) with government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license. CBP continues to demonstrate flexibility during the transition phase and will educate and inform the traveling public as we move forward to full Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative implementation in June of 2009.

Frequent cross-border travelers are encouraged to participate in the NEXUS program, which allows pre-screened, low risk travelers to proceed with little or no delay into the United States and Canada. Application forms are available on the Canada Border Services Agency Web site and travelers can apply online on the NEXUS page. ( Canada Border Services Agency ) Additionally, NEXUS information is available toll-free 1-866-NEXUS 26 (1-866-639-8726). ( NEXUS Program )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.