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Exchange of Notes between Canada and the United States of America constituting the Relocation of that part of the Roosevelt Bridge which crosses the Cornwall South Channel [1956] CATSer 8 (24 October 1956)

E100460 - CTS 1956 No. 24

EXCHANGE OF NOTES BETWEEN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONCERNING THE RELOCATION OF THAT PART OF THE ROOSEVELT BRIDGE WHICH CROSSES THE CORNWALL SOUTH CHANNEL

I

The Canadian Ambassador to the United States of America to the Secretary of State of the United States of America

CANADIAN EMBASSY

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 24, 1956

No. 703

I have the honour to refer to No. 127 of November 16, 1955, from the United States Ambassador in Ottawa to the Secretary of State for External Affairs, to his reply, Note X263, of November 17, 1955, and to recent discussions between officials of the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority of Canada and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation of the United States regarding the relocation of that part of the Roosevelt Bridge which crosses the Cornwall south channel.

Since the New York Central Railroad has decided to abandon its railway line from the mainland of the United States to Cornwall, Ontario, I have the honour to propose the following, which has been agreed to between the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation:

1. The existing south span of the Roosevelt Bridge shall be replaced by a high-level highway bridge over the south channel instead of by a bridge at Polly’s Gut as previously agreed.

2. The St. Lawrence Seaway Authority and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation shall be jointly responsible.

(a) for the plans and the construction of the new bridge, the cost of which shall be shared by each entity in proportion to the work for which it is responsible, it being understood that the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority shall be responsible for the construction of the substructure and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation shall be responsible for the construction of the superstructure;

(b) for the operation and maintenance of the new bridge.

3. The St. Lawrence Seaway Authority and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation shall each have the responsibility in the territories of their respective countries

(a) for the relocation and construction of related facilities including highway approaches to the new bridge and for meeting all requirements and procedures arising from the relocations, although they may do so jointly if they desire;

(b) for ensuring that provision is made for the maintenance of the relocated facilities.

4. The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation shall be responsible for the dismantling of the existing south span of the Roosevelt Bridge.

5. Contracts for the construction of the new bridge shall be shared between Canadian and United States contractors, by agreement between the two Seaway entities.

I have the honour to propose further that waivers of customs and immigra­tion regulations shall be granted on a reciprocal basis by both Governments to facilitate the construction of the new bridge and the dismantling of the existing south span of the Roosevelt Bridge.

If the foregoing proposals are acceptable to your Government, I have the honour to suggest, upon instructions from my Government, that this Note and your reply shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments.

Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

A. D. P. Heeney

II

The Secretary of State of the United States of America to the Canadian Ambassador to the United States of America

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

October 24, 1956

The Honourable A. D. P. Heeney,
Ambassador of Canada

Excellency:

I have the honour to refer to your note No. 703 of October 24, 1956, concerning the relocation of that part of the Roosevelt Bridge which crosses the Cornwall south channel.

The proposals included therein are acceptable to the Government of the United States, and it is understood that your note and this reply shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

Jacob D. Beam,

For the Secretary of State