Submitted Photo After four years and $28 million in updates and improvements, the North Portal port of entry is open for business.

NORTH PORTAL, Sask. — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) marked on Tuesday the completion of a multi-year infrastructure project at North Portal, Saskatchewan, with a ceremony. The project made significant improvements to the CBSA’s port of entry facilities for the benefit of travelers, businesses and border services officers.

The North Portal entry is Canada’s 10th busiest port for commercial traffic that links Saskatchewan to the American Midwest and the Port of Charleston, South Carolina.

Construction on the project began in 2018, adding a third processing lane for vehicles entering Canada, two-level Primary Inspection Line booths, a new canopy to provide more protection from the elements for transport trucks and oversized vehicles, and other improvements and quality of life changes.

The upgrades at the facility were done under the Canada-U.S. Beyond the Border Action Plan, and cost $26 million. The upgrades will contribute to long-term economic prosperity in this region, allowing those who serve at North Portal to do their jobs more safely and more efficiently, and to better fulfill the needs of travelers crossing the border.

Lisa Laurencelle-Peace, executive director for the Prairie Region of the Canada Border Services Agency, spoke at the ceremony, saying that these upgrades not only make the jobs of CBSA officers and staff safer and more effective, they enable businesses and travelers to save time and money.

“Because of these improvements, travelers will have more time to spend at their destinations, whether they are at home with family, visiting friends, shopping, or taking in the beautiful sights in southeastern Saskatchewan,” Laurencelle-Peace said.

Artwork from local Cree artist Michael Lonechild was unveiled and will be permanently displayed at the port of entry.