Four N.B. border crossings see reduced service hours

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) adjusted their operating hours at 35 land ports of entry across the country, including four in New Brunswick, on Monday.

The decision, announced last November, was done in collaboration with the United States with the goal to enhance overall border security for both countries. The CBSA says the changes will also allow for more efficient use of personnel at busier crossings.

The Bloomfield crossing, located just west of Hartland, N.B., is now open for travellers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday except for Canadian and U.S. holidays. The same can be said for commercial travellers, although they can only cross during weekdays.

The crossing in Gillespie Portage, which can be found between Grand Falls and Perth-Andover, is open for regular travellers seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Commercial drivers can cross Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on holidays.

West of McAdam, the St. Croix crossing will now be open for travellers 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the week. Commercial vehicles can cross from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Fosterville crossing is unique. During the summer season (the last Monday in May to the first Monday of September), the border is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Outside that time, the crossings operating hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The same restrictions go for commercial vehicles.

The CBSA says almost all of the 35 ports of entry nationwide that are seeing reduces hours are processing an average of two cars or commercial trucks or fewer an hour during the hours that have been cut. Travellers will still have alternative border crossing options within a 100km radius.

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