Hochul updates New Yorkers on bridge closures on US-Canadian border

UPDATE: At her press conference after 5 p.m., Gov. Kathy Hochul said the Peace Bridge, Lewiston-Queenston and the Whirlpool bridges reopened. She also noted there is no current evidence to suggest the explosion was a terrorist act.

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State Police actively working with FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force to monitor all points of entry to New York; governor meeting with law enforcement and emergency responders

Gov. Kathy Hochul updated New Yorkers on bridge closures on the U.S.-Canadian border following an incident on Rainbow Bridge. The governor also announced earlier today that the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force will be monitoring all points of entry to New York.

“I have been briefed on the situation that occurred at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls,” Hochul said. “At my direction, the New York State Police is actively working with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force to monitor all points of entry to New York. I am traveling to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement and emergency responders and will update New Yorkers when more information becomes available.”

New York State Department of Transportation

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) can confirm that the Rainbow Bridge and Peace Bridge are closed, as are the Lewiston-Queenston and the Whirlpool Bridge, at the direction of federal authorities. Remaining international crossings are on heightened alert status but are open. NYSDOT is in the process of closing Interstate 190 at Upper Mountain Road in Niagara County and is assisting local partners in managing traffic impacts. Variable message signs in the region are alerting motorists of the bridge closures.

Beyond Western New York, NYSDOT and the Thruway Authority are coordinating on variable message signs to warn westbound travelers that the border crossings to Canada in the Buffalo-Niagara area are closed.

Thruway Authority

The following exit ramp is closed on the New York State Thruway system:

√ I-190 – Niagara Thruway northbound Exit 9 (Fort Erie Canada – Porter Avenue – Peace Bridge) to Peace Bridge

Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority

In response to the incident that is unfolding at the Rainbow Bridge, the NFTA is increasing security systemwide. Cars and passengers coming into the Buffalo and Niagara Falls airports will undergo increased security checks, explosive detection, and increased screenings. The Buffalo and Niagara Falls airports and the Metro system remain fully operational. The NFTA advises travelers to give themselves extra time for these extra precautions.

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is on site, including staff from the Office of Emergency Services, and the division is prepared to support any resource requests. The division’s Office of Counter Terrorism has also been in contact with local counterterrorism and law enforcement partners statewide.