DOT Sec Duffy finalizes $150M grant to build new port of entry in California
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy recently announced the finalization of a $150 million federal grant for the construction of a new port of entry facility and road at the San Diego-Baja California border. This project, known as the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry, aims to enhance security measures and streamline cross-border trade.
The grant was awarded through the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects program in September 2022, but progress on the project had stalled for two years. Secretary Duffy highlighted the importance of moving forward with the project to protect the Southern border and combat drug trafficking. He also emphasized the need to eliminate unnecessary Green New Deal requirements that were previously attached to the grant.
The $150 million investment will fund the construction of state-of-the-art inspection facilities for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as well as a commercial vehicle enforcement facility. Additionally, intelligent transportation technologies will be deployed to manage traffic demand through dynamic tolling, improving inspection efficiency and facilitating cross-border trade.
The project is expected to reduce congestion, generate economic benefits, and create job opportunities in Southern California. Currently, the Otay Mesa and Tecate Ports of Entry are operating at full capacity, with nearly 3,600 trucks crossing the border daily. The new port of entry facility will provide an alternative crossing for these trucks once completed.
Secretary Duffy’s leadership has been instrumental in addressing a backlog of unobligated grants inherited from the previous administration. The DOT is working diligently to accelerate the distribution of these funds and prioritize essential infrastructure projects across the country.
Overall, the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry project represents a significant investment in border security and trade facilitation. By modernizing infrastructure and implementing innovative technologies, the project will enhance national security, promote economic growth, and strengthen cross-border partnerships.
