Following a meeting Wednesday between President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, it was announced that infrastructure improvements are being planned for the Peace Bridge and Lewiston-Queenston Bridge.

The renovations are part of an agreement between the U.S. and Canada that are focused on improving border security, economic competitiveness, and regulatory cooperation.  The goal is to make crossing the U.S.-Canada border more efficient so conducting trade, travel, and creating jobs becomes easier.

Prime Minister Harper said the agreement signifies the most significant step forward in Canada-U.S. cooperation since North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was passed.

Procedures put in place at U.S.-Canada border crossings post 9/11 have created long delays, so upgrades will be focused on pre-screening procedures for both commercial and non-commercial vehicles to keep traffic between the countries flowing more smoothly.

Renovations on the Canadian side of both bridges have already been completed but similar projects in the U.S. have been stalled.

Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo said, “I support this goal because in Western New York our future depends on integrating our economy with the booming region of Southern Ontario, by expanding the Peace Bridge that connects our two communities.”

Presently, about 90 percent of all U.S. trade or nearly a billion dollars each day crosses through U.S. ports of entry, but because of old infrastructure it takes too long to cross the borders.

President Obama called the agreement a win-win situation for both countries and pointed out that these upgrades will benefit both sides of the border.