Calais - If you drive through Calais, you'll notice a new addition; the Calais-St. Stephen border crossing.

"There was clearly a need for an additional border crossing here, and it was time to get a state-of-the-art facility here as quickly as possible, said Thomas Winkowski, Assistant Commissioner at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The $65-million construction project, located on a 50-acre site, was unveiled to national and state officials during a ceremony and ribbon cutting Monday morning.

"For those of us who have been stuck in the long lines to cross the border, we know how important this is going to be to communities on both sides of the border," said Senator Susan Collins.

Officials say the new facility is a win-win. It's good for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as residents, because it will help take away some of the commercial truck traffic in the area.

"We're going to be able to take a lot of that traffic out of particularly Ferry Point and direct it over here," said Winkowski.

The new facility is top of the line. It's not only secure, but efficient. It's equipped with radiation detectors, and software to help officers verify the citizenship and identity of individuals.

"We're able to facilitate that big group of people that are not a risk, and focus in on that small group that are a risk," said Winkowski.

And with Canada as the biggest trading partner of both the United States and Maine, this new border crossing is highly beneficial.

"That ability to have a free-flow of legitimate goods back and forth across the border sustains a lot of jobs not only in Washington County, but throughout the state of Maine," said Collins.

The port is anticipated to become the eighth busiest international crossing on the northern border.