The lineup to cross the border at Fort Frances is a bit better today than it was Monday.
Vehicles started lineup in International Falls early Sunday evening.
By the time the border opened, the lineup was nearly 5 kilometres long.
International Falls Chamber President Tricia Heibel says vehicles moved every 30 to 40 minutes at a time past her office.
Some of the travellers she spoke with had been in line for up to seven hours.
“We had thrown a porta potty in our parking lot here. Our office lobby has been open, but our restrooms have been closed since COVID, so thought we would at least provide that knowing people were going to be in a lineup,” says Heibel.
It’s not unusual to see such long lines in International Falls.
“It’s just traditionally different. They don’t normally sit this long. There’s a lineup. You’re creeping through usually a higher rate.”
Heibel says the Falls does benefit from all the traffic headed to northwestern Ontario.
“Traditionally, people come and spend a night or two in our community before they cross. Often times we have groups of people who are meeting up, maybe from different parts of the country or the state, and all will join here and leave a car two behind crossing over.”
