This border crossing is located between the villages of Derby Line , Vermont and Stanstead , Quebec , both of which are developed up to the border . The two villages have a historically friendly relationship with one another , and there were several roads east of the U.S. 5-Quebec 143 crossing that once crossed the border , but have been barricaded since 2009 . The cross-border relationship was cemented in part by the construction in 1904 of the Haskell Free Library and Opera House , which straddles the border and provides library services to both communities . The border itself is an east-west line , with a portion of the Tomifobia River running east-west just to its north . The bi-national nature of these two villages has always presented border security challenges , and in recent years local residents have been prohibited from moving freely from one side to the other . Prior to the September 11 attacks , anyone could enter the United States using any of the roads , as long as they then proceeded directly to the nearest port of entry to report . Since then however , cross-border travel between the villages on any road other than U.S. Route 5 or I-91 is strictly prohibited
the September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Derby Line–Stanstead Border Crossing