Build a fence … for Canada? New U.S. border barrier may foil international lovebirds

They've become a symbol of love in the time of coronavirus, but the Canadian-American couples who've spent months stealing down to a stretch of the BC-Washington border may have to get used to seeing their loves ones through a fence.

Zero Avenue, a flat, straight road that runs parallel to the border on the Canadian side, is known as a haven for smugglers. The road on the American side is called Boundary Road, and the two are separated only by patches of grass.

Until now.

The U.S. Border Patrol, Blaine Sector, has decided the stretch of border, which stretches between the Pacific Ocean and the city of Abbotsford, to the north, has gone barrier-free long enough.

They're building a fence.

This project addresses binational safety concerns related to a vulnerable section of the border located between Boundary Road in the U.S. and Zero Avenue in Canada," reads a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson Jason Givens. This barrier is designed to prevent vehicles from either accidentally, or purposefully, crossing the boundary and endangering citizens in both countries."

Although American officials referred to the project as benefitting both the U.S. and Canada, a representative from the Canada Border Services Agency said only that the fence is being installed on the U.S. side of the border.

Technically a wire barrier" that will eventually span just shy of two and a half kilometres is a far cry from the border wall the U.S. is building along the Mexico border, where the U.S. has erected 200 miles of wall under the Trump administration (although most of the wall is fencing).

Nonetheless, it will have an impact on Canadians and Americans alike.

Especially those lovebirds using the open area to meet in person while the border remains closed.

Natalie Hutchison, a North Delta, B.C., woman who spoke to the Star earlier this spring during a meetup with her American boyfriend along Zero Avenue, said Thursday she didn't really see the point of erecting the wire fence.

It feels like people who are in cross-border relationships are being punished for loving someone from a different country and that is just one more way to try and keep us apart," she said.

Sad to see they thought it was necessary."

The one spot that will remain open is Peace Arch Park, an expanse of grass that straddles the international boundary near Vancouver, and Hutchinson says she plans to continue to meet her boyfriend there.

Before the fence went up, Hutchison and her boyfriend, Joey Camarillo, of Blaine, Wash., found a new rendezvous spot, on the U.S. side of Peace Arch Park, an international park straddling the B.C.-Washington State border located next to a major port of entry.

After speaking with RCMP, I was told I could still cross on the U.S. side," she said.

Hutchison said she parks on a side street on the Canadian side of the border, walks across a ditch and meets up with her boyfriend in the park.

There are lots of tables, but most people bring sun shelters or blankets," she said. We try for twice a week. It's nice to have dinner or breakfast together to stay connected."

The Canadian side of Peace Arch Park had reopened May 14, but then closed again on June 18, due to a dramatic increase" in visitation.

BC Parks understands the desire for family and friends to reunite, and how difficult these past months have been for people who have loved ones living across the border," says an online notice.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will look to reopen the park when it is safe to do so."

Douglas Quan is a Vancouver-based reporter for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @dougquan

Alex McKeen is a Vancouver-based reporter covering transportation and labour for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @alex_mckeen