Khaberni - The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump decided to close a border crossing between the United States and Canada that had been used by local residents of both countries for generations.
The U.S. government said that a 14 km passage connecting Coutts in Alberta, Canada, and Sweet Grass in Montana, U.S., will be closed to Canadian traffic starting from the first of July to enhance security.
The "Border Road" crossing cut through Montana and had been managed and maintained by Warner County in Alberta for decades, and had been freely used by local residents from both sides.
Many affected residents on both sides refused the decision, and Ross Ford, a Canadian citizen, said that the closure was "unfortunate," adding, "We have enjoyed free access to this road for nearly 80 years," according to the British newspaper "Mirror" on Tuesday.
In the American side, Roger Horgos said that the closure decision was "ridiculous," adding that Canadians have taken good care of the road by leveling and maintaining it.
On his part, Alberta's Minister of Transportation, Devin Dreeshen, announced that there are plans to build a parallel road on the Canadian side of the border, and construction is scheduled to start in April.
He told the Canadian press: "The U.S. Department of Homeland Security informed us that they will enforce the law in this area and other American territories at the border."
He added: "We have gone through the necessary procedures to expedite the construction of this road, in collaboration with Warner County to ensure local access remains available to Alberta residents on the Canadian side."
The border between the United States and Canada stretches over 8,000 km and is the longest land border in the world.
People had been accustomed to moving freely between Coutts and Sweet Grass without issues, although there were some incidents.
