Border crossings open, on high alert following terrorist attacks (2 p.m. EDT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 11, 2001) — U.S. customs and immigration officials are on high alert following this morning’s terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C.

Overland international crossings remain open as of 2 p.m. EDT, but intensive vehicle searches are resulting in lengthy delays. All cargo and passenger flights in the United States have been grounded, and a state of emergency exists in Washington and New York.

Commercial operations in other urban centres in the country are being limited as officials try to reduce security risks. At the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie, Ont., security officials spent several hours examining the bridge for bombs.

Gail Toth, executive director of the New Jersey Motor Truck Association, told the American Trucking Associations newspaper Transport Topics that all ports and rail terminals in the New York-New Jersey area have been closed, and all northbound traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike was being stopped at Exit 11 at Carteret, N.J. All bridges and tunnels into New York have been closed.

“In Philadelphia, trucks are being asked to park to keep streets free for emergency equipment,” Toth said.

Toth said some trucking companies in the area are being asked to provide space to accommodate trucks trapped on the highways.