see also: in June 2008:   CBP in New Orleans Offers Tips for International Air Travelers for Summer Season   CBP Offers Tips for International Air Travelers in Memphis for Summer Season   U.S. Customs and Border Protection to Host San Diego Hiring Event   Baltimore CBP Recovers Stolen Vehicle Being Shipped Overseas   Border Patrol Agents Seize Cocaine, Methamphetamines and Marijuana   Canada, U.S. Sign Arrangement to Align Security Standards for Cross-Border Business   CBP, Texas Strengthen Partnership to Ensure Border Security ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Know Before You Go   Trusted Traveler Programs on the web:   Washington State Department of Transportation   U.S. Department of State Travel

contacts for this news release

Blaine, Wash. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced plans for construction at the four Whatcom County ports of entry.

The construction, which entails deployment of Radio Frequency Identification technology, will help speed travel and further enhance border security. These technology enhancements will be incorporated into the ongoing construction of the new port facility at the Blaine Peace Arch crossing. The RFID deployment is part of a national construction initiative at 39 major entry points (354 total traffic lanes) along the U.S borders with Canada and Mexico over the coming months.

Use of RFID will enable swifter processing at border crossings for travelers using new state-of-the-art travel documents. These documents include the passport card – a wallet-sized, cost-effective alternative to the traditional passport specifically designed for cross-border land and sea travel – and enhanced driver’s licenses (EDLs) being produced by several states. Washington State began producing an EDL in February and currently has issued over 16,700, with more than 25,000 applications received.

The State Department currently has received over 300,000 passport card applications and will be in full production in July. In addition, the State Department will be incorporating RFID technology into the next generation Border Crossing Cards. These new cards, which the State Department will begin issuing later this year, will further enhance and streamline border crossing for BCC-holders.

“We are alerting travelers to “Know Before You Go” to the Whatcom County border crossings this summer,” said CBP Director of Field Operations Michele James in Seattle. “The deployment of the RFID readers, along with other steps we are taking should help to reduce congestion and long lines. We have expanded our NEXUS lane hours at Blaine and have deployed additional officers on overtime to help mitigate the impact of a busy summer travel season and a strong Canadian dollar. We ask the public for their planning and patience during this construction phase and to encourage them to obtain one of the new RFID-enabled documents.”

These documents are the result of a new requirement, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a Congressional mandate passed in 2004. The requirement went into effect for air travel in January 2007. Full implementation of WHTI for land and sea travel is expected to go into effect June 1, 2009.

The construction is occurring in the following locations throughout summer and fall:

• Pacific Highway: construction tentatively scheduled for June 9 - 16.
• Peace Arch: construction tentatively scheduled for June 23 - 27.
• Sumas, Lynden and Point Roberts construction is tentatively scheduled for mid-October.

Construction is scheduled during nighttime hours to minimize impact on travel and crossing times.

A sustained, large-scale ad campaign will also be launched later this year to advise national audiences in the United States and Canada about the new document requirement.

As travelers gear up for the busy summer travel season, CBP also offers tips to help expedite processing at the port of entry by having their documents ready upon arrival at the primary inspection booth and to declare all acquisitions in Canada to the CBP officer, including fruits, vegetables and animal products. If anyone has a question regarding which items are admissible and which are prohibited, they can consult our “Know Before You Go” guide. ( Know Before You Go )

In the Whatcom County ports of Point Roberts, Blaine (Peace Arch and Pacific Highway), Lynden and Sumas CBP has designated specific managers to monitor wait times and ensure that the maximum number of available officers is dedicated to process traffic during peak hours. In addition, CBP has expanded the hours of the NEXUS lane in Blaine, used the NEXUS lane to process “overflow” non-NEXUS vehicles when empty, utilized CBP officers in traffic lanes to maximize traffic flow and periodically used two CBP officers at the primary inspection booths to facilitate processing. CBP continues travelers to cross the border during non-peak hours (before 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m.) and to utilize the Pacific Highway, Lynden and Sumas crossings during the Peace Arch construction project.

In addition, at the Peace Arch crossing construction site, CBP has coordinated with the building contractor to maximize secondary processing space during the weekends, allowing expedited transit through the primary processing areas.

The Washington State Department of Transportation has also installed 11 new cameras on all four border highways, and will soon broadcast border wait times on the Internet and on roadside signs. WSDOT will use its extensive traveler alert system to help notify drivers about construction and changes at the Peace Arch border crossing. The border cameras are available on the Washington State Department of Transportation website. ( Washington State Department of Transportation )

For more information about obtaining a passport or passport card, visit the Department of State travel website. ( U.S. Department of State Travel ) For information on states issuing enhanced driver’s licenses, or applying for any of CBP’s trusted traveler programs NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST, which are also alternatives under the new requirements, visit the CBP website. ( Trusted Traveler Programs )

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.