LYNDEN, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County residents will soon have a chance to learn more about potential upgrades to the border crossings in Lynden and Sumas.

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is hosting a meeting on April 16 to discuss the proposed expansion of both ports of entry. The GSA says the upgrades are needed because both ports are no longer able to meet the operational needs of Customs and Border Protection.

The Kenneth G. Ward entry in Lynden would expand to five personal vehicle lanes and four commercial processing lanes to cut down on wait times. It would also start operating 24 hours a day instead of the current 16-hour schedule. The Sumas entry would add two more commercial inspection lanes and one extra personal vehicle lane with a dedicated pedestrian corridor after the proposed upgrades.

Construction would be scheduled to start in September 2026 and end in November 2028.

Both ports will also get all-electric facilities after receiving up to $73 million in funding through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Homeland Security and Border Protection officials will be on hand to receive community input and answer questions at the meeting. It takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lynden Public Library on Tuesday, April 16.

Find more information about the proposed upgrades for the upgrades at Lynden’s border crossing here and Sumas here.