COUTTS – A gravel road that once connected the two Canadian-American border states will now separate them.
Called Border Road, this 14-kilometer route between Alberta and Montana will be closed to Canadian traffic starting in July.
This road has been used for decades by residents from both border states.
Located on the Montana side, the maintenance of the road is handled by Alberta.
The American government claims to be enhancing border security and revoking access to Canadians.
Ross Ford, a Canadian state resident, finds it disappointing and recalls that families used to visit each other without any restrictions.
Roger Horgus, an American state resident, also thinks it is ridiculous.
Both are in their sixties. They remember their childhood when they constantly crossed the invisible boundary to play.
It was a family tradition. In 1990, National Geographic magazine featured these two families as examples of friendship along the longest undefended border in the world.
When the road is closed, the only family member who can cross it will be Ford’s dog Geordie.
“It’s regrettable,” Mr. Ford laments. “We’ve had free access to the road for about 80 years, I suppose, long before my birth. We have always been very close to our neighbors. Of course, they live in Montana, and that won’t change – but we have this new barrier.”
Sitting at the kitchen table on his farm near Sweet Grass, Montana, Mr. Horgus nods towards his nearby neighbor, whom he has known forever.
“When we were kids, I wouldn’t be surprised if some weeks, we met every day to play. We did biking, horseback riding, karting,” Mr. Horgus recalls. [The road closure is] ridiculous. I hate to see this because Canadians have taken such good care of us and the road, with grading and all.”
Mr. Horgus mentioned that American border authorities had informed the local population of an increase in illegal traffic. He did not observe it himself.
A silver landmark on a hill overlooking Mr. Ford’s farm marks the exact location of the border. According to the 1908 treaty, it bears the inscription “Canada” on the north side and “United States” on the south side.
Recently, on a spring day, two American border patrol agents parked their vehicles on Border Road to discuss.
Mr. Ford stated that these patrols were common. But in the past, American agents allowed people to pass if a driver went to the other side to talk to a neighbor.
Parallel Road
Alberta’s Minister of Transportation, Devin Dreeshen, announced that a parallel road on the Canadian side will be built this year.
“The American Department of Homeland Security informed us that they were ensuring the security of this area and other areas along the American border,” Mr. Dreeshen said in an interview. “We have obviously followed the process to make sure we could undertake this (road) project, in collaboration with Warner County to ensure local access for Albertans from the Canadian border state.”
He specified that Alberta is allocating $8 million to this project, and construction will start next month. He understands the frustration felt by many residents of the region.
“No matter the line drawn on the map, there will be farmers from both border states, there will be friends and family from both border states. This will obviously continue.”
For Mr. Ford, the new road will bring some solace for at least one reason.
“The two roads will run parallel to each other along their entire length. We will have ours, they will have theirs. And the border will be in the ditch.”
