Gov. Doug Burgum issued the following statement today after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced it will maintain current hours of operation at the Maida port of entry on the North Dakota-Manitoba border but will proceed with plans to reduce hours at the Antler and Carbury border crossings.
In a letter last week, Burgum had urged CBP to maintain existing hours at all three crossings, noting all three ports saw an increase in automobile and truck crossings in fiscal year 2018.
“We’re grateful that CBP will maintain its current hours at Maida, a vital port of entry for residents of Cavalier County and the surrounding area that provides convenient access for commerce, tourism and maintaining ties with our northern neighbors,” Burgum said. “However, we are still concerned that reducing hours at the Antler and Carbury crossings will negatively impact the lives and livelihoods of North Dakotans and Manitobans alike, and we urge the federal government to do everything possible to mitigate and closely monitor those impacts.”
Under the changes announced today, CBP will move back the closing time from 10 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Carbury port of entry and from 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Antler port of entry. Hours of operation at the Maida port of entry will remain 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.