US General Services Administration Auctions Former Madawaska Border Crossing

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has announced the auction of the former land port of entry at 63 Bridge Avenue in Madawaska, Maine, with bidding starting at $25,000. Customs and Border Protection relocated from the 65-year-old facility last year to a new $73 million land port of entry and international bridge, which offers expanded services, energy efficiency, and room for increased traffic. The old port, spanning approximately one acre along the Saint John River and including a 5,800-square-foot building with a basement, has been unused since the relocation. The auction aims to reduce government spending on the underutilized property and create opportunities for community and economic development, with bidders required to register online and submit a $5,000 deposit. The old bridge, which was over a century old and restricted to 5 tons, was replaced recently, with parts preserved for a local art project celebrating the town's heritage and cross-border connections. GSA emphasized its commitment to fiscal responsibility and maximizing value for taxpayers by divesting assets no longer serving their original purpose.