FORT ERIE
GATEWAY
MASTER PLAN

Fort Erie is the busiest Canada-US border crossing on the Niagara Frontier. Cultures have met and passed through this gateway for over 4,000 years: the largest First Nations archaeological site in eastern North America lies directly under the Canada Customs Plaza.

The Fort Erie Gateway Master Plan articulates an overall vision for Fort Erie as an engine for economic development – to revive Fort Erie’s historic role as a meeting place of cultures and peoples, and transform it from a place one passes through to a destination in its own right.

New landscaping and urban design measures enhance the overall appearance of the Canada Customs Plaza, improve vehicle flow and pedestrian and bicycle access. Road closures and visitor centre reconfigurations re-connect historic Fort Erie with the waterfront. Important archaeological sites are ‘daylighted’ with in situ excavation and interpretative elements.

The project was approved in 2000, followed by construction of Phase 1 – the Canada Customs Plaza.

TOWN OF FORT ERIE,
BUFFALO-FORT ERIE PEACE
BRIDGE AUTHORITY
NIAGARA PARKS COMMISSION
FORT ERIE, CANADA
2001
$20.5 MILLION [CONSTRUCTION]