March 23, 2011

Peace Arch border facility cost $107M

Photo courtesy of GSA [enlarge]

Construction is complete on the new U.S. land port of entry at the Peace Arch Border Crossing in Blaine.

It was designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, built by J.E. Dunn Construction and is owned by U.S. General Services Administration.

It replaces the LPOE complex constructed in 1976. The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agencies required additional primary inspection booths and a larger secondary inspection area to meet traffic increases, according to GSA. The complex was also designed to meet the agencies new security intrusion requirements.

The project cost $107 million, GSA said. That is for construction of the facility and a new bridge on northbound Interstate-5 that goes over part of it.

One of the busiest border crossings along the northern U.S. border, the new Port straddles the tidelands of Semiahmoo Bay and the gardens of the Peace Arch State Park.

The Port building is 35,750 square feet. The complex has 10 primary inspection lanes, 40 spaces for secondary inspection and the new highway bridge.

It is a GSA Design Excellence project and is targeting LEED gold. Sustainable elements include native and drought tolerant plants, drip irrigation and high efficiency sprinklers, a 21,699-square-foot planted roof over parking, high-performance glazing and exterior sun shades, day-lighting and light sensors, occupancy sensors, high efficiency HVAC, low-flow water fixtures and low VOC interior finishes.

Other team members are: Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Bruck Richards Chaudiere, Tuazon Engineering, CDi Engineers, GeoEngineers, Sparling, Eskilsson Architecture, Swift Co., Bush Roed & Hitchings, Robinson Co., WPA, Candela, Adams Consulting and Estimating and David Evans and Associates.