SAN LUIS, Arizona — The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently held a groundbreaking ceremony with local, state and federal officials to mark the completion of the $308 million project. Commemorating the launch.modernize and expand San Luis I Land Port of Entry, Arizona.

Funding for the project will be provided through the Invest in America Agenda. Complying with the bipartisan Infrastructure and Inflation Control Act, the news release also noted that the project would replace the port’s small infrastructure of the 1980s with new expansion buildings and increased inspection capacity. there is

The second busiest non-commercial port in Arizona, San Luis I currently serves 3 million motorists and 2.5 million pedestrians annually.

The news release said that once the renovations are complete, the port’s pedestrian inspection capacity will increase by 40% and vehicle inspection capacity by 100%.

“We must invest in providing border communities with the tools they need to thrive,” said Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. “Today’s breakthrough initiative puts us on the path to making it happen. We are working hard to work closely with them because their success is our success.This breakthrough is just the beginning.”

The project will double the number of northbound vehicle inspection lanes from 8 to 16, install a 16,000-square-foot canopy, and help deploy the latest inspection technology to support CBP’s security mission.

The project also includes construction of a new 21,000-square-foot pedestrian inspection building, which will increase the number of inspection booths from 10 to 14 and improve pedestrian traffic flow.

Approximately $100 million in funding through the Controlled Inflation Act will enable the project’s sustainability features.

“The port’s new all-electric and net-zero design integrates a number of water-saving and energy-producing features,” the news release said. “In these buildings, the clean energy generated on-site offsets the total energy used, resulting in zero net energy consumption. Additional sustainability features include reduced emissions from port operations. and includes solar panels and other clean energy sources to eliminate dependence on carbon-based energy and support environmental justice in our communities.”

Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly called the Port of San Luis “a major economic engine for Yuma County and Arizona as a whole.” I am working with local leaders and Customs and Border Protection agencies to make necessary port improvements that will increase trade, reduce waiting times, and improve our ability to stop cross-border fentanyl and other illegal trafficking. We are proud to have secured funding. ”

GSA Port Administrator Robin Carnahan said the investment is historic.

“We will make this project a model cross-border land port in the South and North. It will enhance security, create high-paying jobs and improve sustainability, while strengthening supply chains. , promotes economic activity in the region,” she said.

CBP Executive Director Donald R. Stakes said the agency “takes great pride in our mission at the port of entry to ensure national security and promote economic prosperity.” Fulfilling this critical mission in ports requires the right balance of specialized workforce, state-of-the-art inspection technology and modern infrastructure. The investment in San Luis I was designed to improve processing capacity, better detect high-risk cross-border activity, and drive continued economic growth for the city of San Luis, Yuma County, Arizona. Provides a port of entry. and the United States. ”

Construction is expected to last until the fall of 2028, during which time the port will remain fully operational.