If a pilot project is successful, it could mean an end to long lines of trucks on the Peace Bridge.

New York Senator Charles Schumer announcing yesterday Canadian and U-S officials have agreed to a plan that would see U-S customs agents pre clear big rigs in Fort Erie in order to improve traffic flow into the states.

The Peace Bridges and another unnamed crossing will be the scene of the pilot project beginning in December.

If successful, the program would need the approval of both Washington and Ottawa before it could be expanded to more border crossings.

However, there is one unresolved issue and that involves allowing armed U-S border agents to operate on Canadian soil.

Government officials are considering two options, one that would see armed U-S agents accompanied during inspections by Canadian law enforcement, similiar to U-S operations at Canadian airports.