Langley businesses are trying to save truck access at the Aldergrove border - again
By Matthew Claxton, Langley Advance January 31, 2012

Local businesses are worried again about commercial access to the Aldergrove border crossing. Photograph by: Langley Advance, files

The Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce is rallying support for continued truck traffic through the Aldergrove Border Crossing.

"There's some uncertainty again about whether they're going to continue to have commercial processing at the Aldergrove crossing," said Lynn Whitehouse, the chamber's executive director.

The first hint of a problem came just before Christmas, and in January, a letter from Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said a final decision will be made by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) later this year.

Aldergrove has long been considered too small, and lacking in high-tech scanning and security equipment, to handle large commercial shipments.
Langley MP Mark Warawa is less concerned about a total shutdown of truck traffic, but has arranged for a round table with all affected participants for this March.

"I think at this point there is no information to indicate there is a new concern," Warawa said.

He's waiting for an update from the CBSA and information on when the new crossing station will be built.

The last scare for local businesses that use the Aldergrove crossing was in May 2009. Local business launched a lobbying effort and worked with City and Township mayors and with Langley MP Mark Warawa.

In June of that year, the CBSA announced that not only would it not close the crossing to commercial traffic, there would be upgrades to the facility.

But an announced $12-million upgrade was put on hold.

Warawa said the new design should give Aldergrove's crossing room to grow in the future.
The site was never designated a permanent truck crossing after the 2009 discussions.
Discussion with the business community will be a part of the decision this time around.
"Well, we're going to make sure that happens," said Whitehouse.

She's putting out a call for support from local businesses, and the chamber will be talking to groups such as the B.C. Trucking Association.

A similar lobbying effort, with local politicians, will also be involved.
Whitehouse said Langley businesses will also reach out to their counterparts in Bellingham, and hopefully get politicians there involved in the effort.

If it's a matter of saving money, Whitehouse hopes ways can be found to share some equipment between the Canadian and American border agencies.

The two nearest commercial vehicle crossings are the Sumas crossing in Abbotsford and the Surrey truck crossing.

The efforts to keep truck traffic flowing through the Aldergrove border crossing have not been the only concern of the Langley chamber; it has been lobbying for years to keep the crossing open 24 hours a day.

mclaxton@langleyadvance.com © Copyright (c) Langley Advance