Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC) was established to finance, construct and operate the three international bridges across the Niagara River connecting the Province of Ontario, Canada and the State of New York, United States: the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, Whirlpool Rapids Bridge and Rainbow Bridge. It is a unique, bi-national body. A Joint Resolution of the 1938 U.S. Congressional Third Session created the framework for the NFBC. In 1939, the Province of Ontario, Canada licensed the NFBC under The Extra Provincial Corporations Act and amended the Highway Improvement Act to authorize the appropriation of land in Ontario for transfer to the NFBC. Initially established to finance, construct and operate the Rainbow Bridge, the Commission proved efficient and effective at its mission. The NFBC’s powers and authority were thereafter expanded through amendments to the Joint Resolution in the U.S., and by the Rainbow Bridge Amendment Act of 1959 and the Queenston Bridge Act of 1959 in Canada. Together, these enactments empowered the NFBC to assume responsibilities for the Whirlpool Rapids (Lower) and Lewiston-Queenston Bridges. Today, in addition to owning and operating three international bridges, the NFBC builds and maintains facilities for Customs and Immigration functions on both sides of the international border. The NFBC is self-supportive, largely through user fees (tolls) and private-sector tenant leases. The NFBC is authorized to conduct international commercial financial transactions and empowered to issue tax-exempt bonds in the United States.
Public benefit corporation / Extra-Provincial Corporation (Ontario) | |
Founded | 1938 |
Headquarters | 5365 Military Rd, , |
Website | niagarafallsbridges.com |
Board of Commissioners
Canada and the U.S. are equally represented through the bi-national appointment of an eight member Board of Commissioners; four appointed by the Premier of Ontario and four by the Governor of New York.[1]
Board of Commissioners | |||
![]() |
![]() | ||
---|---|---|---|
Michael J. Goodale, Chairperson | Kathleen L. Neville, Vice Chairperson | ||
Carmine C. McShane | Harry R. Palladino | ||
Barton J. M. Maves | Francis A. Soda | ||
K. Geoffrey Topping | Vacant |
See also
- Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority - public, Peace Bridge
- International Bridge Company - private, Ambassador Bridge
- Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority - public
- Port Authority of New York and New Jersey - public
- Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Company - private, railway bridge
- Thousand Islands Bridge Authority - public, Thousand Islands Bridge
- Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority - public, Gordie Howe International Bridge
References
- "What is the NFBC?". Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. Retrieved November 4, 2017.