A series of open houses begins next week where the Buffalo & Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority and New York State Department of Transportation will update the public about proposals and design concepts for the new Peace Bridge.

The bridge is proposed as part of a project that will also improve the international border crossing between the USA and Canada with a new Customs plaza.

Five signature bridge design concepts are under consideration, all of which have been approved as responding to earlier concerns about impact on fish and bird populations.

Bridge designers Figg Engineering partnered with Christian Menn and avian experts Terry Yonker and Michael Morgante to develop the designs.

An environmental impact statement is being prepared and the decision on which design to progress will be taken later this year.