Officials mark finish of Decade-long expansion of San Ysidro port of entry
The San Ysidro Port of Entry on Tuesday. Eight new lanes are part of a just-completed project.
By Alexandra Mendoza
December 18, 2019
SAN YSIDRO
The U.S. government finished the expansion project of the San Ysidro port of entry that began almost a decade ago to expedite crossings in the busiest land border in the Western Hemisphere.
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau on Tuesday attended the ceremony that marked the completion of the $741 million project that included the construction of a second pedestrian crossing between Tijuana and San Diego (PedEast) and eight new lanes at the vehicle port of entry for a total of 34.
“The border is a very special place, it’s a line that divides our countries, but it’s also a region that really unites our countries,” said the ambassador during his speech in front of officials from both sides of the border.
“When I began as an ambassador to Mexico, I announced that I had three priorities: migration, security and commerce, and I think standing here today I feel like I’m in the epicenter, ground zero for all of those priorities,” added Landau, who also praised the new North American trade deal among Mexico, the United States and Canada.
“Mexico is not only just our neighbor, but also our largest trading partner in the world, and nowhere is that more evident than here in the Cali-Baja region. You are an example of a dynamic and interconnected community that works and advocates together to achieve prosperity for both countries,” Landau said.
The expansion and renovation were completed in three phases a decade ahead of a projection made by the San Diego Association of Governments, which estimates that vehicle traffic at the port of entry will increase 87 percent by 2030.
Currently, the border processes an average of 70,000 northbound vehicle passengers and 20,000 pedestrians per day, according to the General Services Administration.
“The GSA project team was able to deliver this important project on time and under budget while maintaining operation at the busiest land port in the Western Hemisphere,” said Allison Azevedo, GSA public buildings service deputy commissioner.
Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, consul general of Mexico in San Diego, praised the “timely expansion and reconfiguration. This port of entry is proof that we do not require higher walls. Our region requires a smarter border that serves as a filter, not as an obstacle.”
The new port has 62 northbound vehicle primary inspection booths that spread over 34 lanes. Customs and Border Protection will determine how many of these will be operating depending on demand and staff availability.
The opening of the last four lanes will have to wait because Mexican authorities are required to make adjustments that allow vehicles to access more efficiently.
This area is in front of the old Puerta Mexico, which for many years was the main gateway from San Ysidro to Tijuana. An access was needed to prevent a bottleneck.