Press Releases 08
California to Open Additional Border Crossing in 2014
Statement by Ambassador Antonio O. Garza
Mexico City, December 8, 2008 - “Today I am pleased to announce
that the State Department has authorized Otay Mesa East to
be a third crossing on the U.S.-Mexico border between San
Diego, California, and Tijuana, Baja California. This crossing
will facilitate safe and secure trade and travel between the
United States and Mexico and reduce delays at the border.
“The two existing San Diego crossings at San Ysidro and Otay
Mesa process a massive flow of traffic. In 2007, 20 million
passenger vehicles, 738,000 trucks, 145,000 buses, and 9.1
million pedestrians crossed into the United States at those
two ports of entry alone. The crossing will help to address
what the California Department of Transportation estimates
to be some $4.2 billion in annual regional losses caused by
delays at the border.
“Recognizing the need to reduce such delays, the California
Department of Transportation requested a Presidential permit
to open a crossing at Otay Mesa East. Per established procedure,
the Presidential permit was approved by the State Department
on November 19 and issued by the General Services Administration
today, December 8. Today, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced
the decision in a ceremony at Otay Mesa.
“Otay Mesa East will ensure that pedestrians, passenger vehicles,
and trucks get to their destinations in the United States
more quickly. The California Department of Transportation
plans a $600 million project to build the port of entry and
a connected road, which are planned for completion in 2014.”
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