August 16, 2018
In order to improve cross-border trade and the economic health of our binational region, the Chamber has advocated for the expansion and improvements at the Calexico Land Port of Entry which include the construction of vehicle inspection facilities, additional southbound lanes into Mexico, and a new head house to supervise operations and service the non-commercial vehicle inspection area. On July 10th, three southbound passenger vehicle lanes were opened. U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) anticipates that full operations will start in September. As the third busiest land port in California, the Calexico West LPOE processes 4 million northbound vehicles and 4.8 million pedestrian crossings each year.
Mexicali Mayor Gustavo Sanchez has noted that the project boosts the economy on both sides of the border and has participated in the Chamber’s delegation trips to Washington D.C. and Mexico City to join advocacy efforts to develop this project. Mayor Sanchez and the Chamber continue to work to secure funding from the Mexican federal government for the complete project which originally included the construction of two bridges that help alleviate congestion in Mexicali: one bridge to redirect incoming passenger vehicles around the commercial/tourist area which already suffers from heavy traffic; and a second bridge redirecting rail tracks that currently block some of the city’s main highways.
To review the project’s fact sheet visit the GSA’s website.
