U.S. – Mexico Trade to Increase With $8.9 Million Allocated to Port of Entry Infrastructure

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has announced that he is allocating $8.9 million to modernize the port of entry in Douglas. The port of entry was built nearly 90 years ago in 1933 and has undergone multiple renovations since then but still cannot keep up with the amount of trade that passes trough it yearly which is an estimated $5 billion in imports and exports.

“One of my top priorities while in office has been to advance Arizona’s relationship with our neighbor Mexico,” Gov. Doug Ducey said Dec. 15. “A modernized port in Douglas will allow for increased trade, tourism, transportation and broadband, opening new pathways for economic collaboration. And beyond business, many people in Arizona have family ties in Mexico that go back generations.”

Being Arizona’s second largest commercial port of entry, modernization is needed. According to the US Department of Transportation, in 2021, traffic through the Raul H. Castro land port accounted for for 28,745 trucks, 1.22 million cars, and 2.54 million total people. Implementing a Two-Port solution will help ease the traffic caused in Douglas. The existing land port will be used by pedestrians, commuters, and visitors while all commercial use and trade will be handled on the soon to be built land port.

In a larger planned trade network, the city will shift commercial truck traffic from the downtown border crossing to a new port of entry, contributing to faster, safer and more efficient border crossing.

“Billions of dollars worth of goods pass through the Raul H. Castro port of entry in Douglas every year,” Mayor Donald Huish said. “This investment will help our city modernize this vitally important trade route. This investment will promote trade and facilitate cross-border travel for visitors and tourists, major economic drivers for our community. We’re grateful to Gov. Ducey for prioritizing Arizona’s relationship with Mexico.”