In The News

DOT plans projects to reduce border congestion

Drivers and freight shippers may experience less delay at U.S. border crossings in California, Texas and Washington state due to congestion-reduction projects that emphasize public-private partnerships, the Department of Transportation said Friday, Sept. 19.


Projects will explore partnerships that combine traditional federal and state funds with private-sector expertise. These types of partnerships can reduce project costs, speed project delivery and protect the taxpayer from project risks, DOT said.


“Congestion at our borders is choking both travelers and commerce with excessive wait times and negatively impacting air quality,” DOT Secretary Mary Peters said. “By prioritizing the projects, we can improve the movement of people and goods across our borders and help to maintain these important economic lifelines.”


San Diego’s Otay Mesa East Port of Entry project will create a new port of entry and a 2.7-mile, four-lane highway that links to the existing California highway system to provide more traffic capacity through the region.


In Laredo, Texas, the East Loop Bypass Project will build a new rail bridge across the border and new rail bypass around the city, adding rail capacity and improving safety.


In Blaine, Wash., a project proposes to provide real-time, border-crossing wait-times and other travel information through technologies.