A $300 million-plus project to modernize and expand the Port of San Luis began Tuesday.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Senator Mark Kelly joined local, state and federal leaders in celebrating the groundbreaking of the San Luis I Land port of entry modernization and expansion project.
Governor Hobbes said it’s long overdue.
“This modernization and expansion project will significantly improve efficiencies at ports of entry, including reducing wait times at borders and introducing the latest technology to identify high-risk activities such as drug trafficking. Probably,” Hobbes said at a ceremony at the Cesar Chavez Cultural Center. groundbreaking thing.
The project, which is expected to be completed in 2028, will double the number of northbound vehicle lanes from eight to 16 and increase pedestrian lanes from 10 to 14, officials said.
Angel Hernandez, who lives in San Luis, Arizona, said he walks across the street about two to three times each week to visit family in San Luis, Rio Colorado.
“We have 10 booths, but usually only two are open, so it can take an hour and a half to two hours when people go to work or school,” Hernandez said. He told KAWC as he waited in the shade as the lane entered San State. Luis Rio Colorado was closed during the groundbreaking ceremony, but “but if they’re going to make it fast, obviously that will help.”
If you’ve ever traveled to San Luis Rio Colorado, you know that waiting times at ports on either side can take hours unless you have a SENTRI card. The facility looks old because it opened in 1984.
Construction will begin in May of this year and is expected to be completed by fall 2028. In the meantime, officials are urging people to be patient and plan ahead to stay on schedule.
“Growth comes with pain,” said San Luis Mayor Nieves Riedel, adding that residents would complain if they were late. “But ultimately, this is a project that will do wonders for our future generations.”
The San Luis port project is being pushed forward through President Joe Biden’s investment plan for the United States. It is funded by the bipartisan Infrastructure and Inflation Control Act.
Officials say the bipartisan legislation is the largest federal investment ($3.4 billion) in non-commercial regional border infrastructure in nearly 40 years.
The Port of San Luis serves approximately 3 million motorists and 2.5 million pedestrians each year.
San Luis Rio Colorado Mayor Santos Gonzalez Yecascas said border wait times are important for voters entering Yuma County to work, go to school, shop, and eat.
“We have been waiting (for the expansion of this port) for 25 years,” Gonzalez Yescas told KAWC. “What are the next few months?”
Expansion and modernization projects are also sustainable, which means the port’s new all-electric and net-zero design includes water-saving and energy-producing features.
Officials expect temporary lane closures, but Donald Stakes, executive director of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Field Office’s Office of Mission Support, said there’s nothing to worry about.
“This project will be phased, so the port of entry will remain open during construction,” Stakes said, adding that San Luis is one of 25 port improvement projects on the U.S. border with Mexico and Canada. added that it is.
