Atlantica

A recent meeting between the Quebec and New Hampshire Chambers of Commerce stressed the common North-South ties that bind these regions together in spite of a political border.

Although a third border crossing in St. Stephen - Calais is under construction and should facilitate increased volumes of traffic in the region, structural problems at the Ferry Point Bridge will reduce the flow of trucks for the summer. This situation highlights the importance of truck traffic in the Atlantica region and the need for infrastructure that will permit the greatest flow of traffic with ease.

A new exhibit at the Maine Discovery Museum may have been set up to teach people about the history of Maine and trade, but it's also a lesson in why the Atlantica concept is such an important one to the future of the region.

More natural gas from offshore Nova Scotia may soon be headed to the Northeastern United States. Maritimes and Northeast Pipelines have announced plans to increase its pipeline capacity to move natural gas from the Deep Panuke project to market in the U.S.

A 145 km pipeline project in the Atlantica region running from the Canaport Liquified Natural Gas terminal in Saint John to St Stephen and then into Maine has run into cost overruns and some delays. The extra costs are not expected, however, to make NB an undesirable place for future investments.

Bill Denyar, CEO of the Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce, says that Atlantica is more than a transportation gateway. It's about one region in two countries developing a strategy to seize new opportunities in global markets.

The Port of Halifax is integral to Atlantica as the central port of call for post-Panamax ships with cargo destined for the midwest. After a number of setbacks early in 2008, there was a little good news with this story of a short term service to the Mediterranean and the return to the port of another container service.

While investors in Moncton talk about an inland port, AIMS executive Vice President Charles Cirtwill cautions that until container traffic increases, the business plan doesn't make much sense.