June 9, 2016

The following content is from our latest Policy Update newsletter. To get these updates directly to your inbox, sign up here.

—

Photo from Cross-Border Railroad Announcement

On Thursday, June 9, the San Diego Chamber – along with the San Diego Metropolitan System (MTS), Pacific Imperial Railroad, and Baja California Railroad – announced a new agreement to finance the reconstruction and operation of the binational Desert Line Railroad. When completed, the new railway will connect Tijuana’s factories (maquiladoras) to cross-border businesses within the United States.

Each year, the San Diego region and U.S.-Mexico binational economies lose $6 billion due to the long delays of transporting goods across the border via trucking systems. With a new railroad in operation, the increased shipping capacity will reduce cross-border congestion and air pollution while increasing economic output for the entire border region.

Check Presentation of Cross-Border Railroad

Construction on the 60 miles of track between Tecate and Coyote Wells in Imperial County is expected to begin this summer. While the Pacific Imperial and Baja California Railroads will oversee its financing and reconstruction, San Diego MTS will retain ownership and oversight authority of the entire Desert Line Railroad.

Click here for the full press release.

Map of New Cross-Border Railroad (click for larger image)