Customs and Border Protection and Texas are partnering in a donations-acceptance program for a $6.9 million construction project that will allow trucks bringing in cargo from Mexico over the Los Indios border crossing to be processed more efficiently, Transport Topics reported.
The Los Indios Land Port of Entry is approximately 25 miles northwest of Brownsville and has operated since 1992. There are two lanes in each direction approximately 10 miles south of Harlingen and San Benito in Cameron County
"Inspection of commodities would be efficiently streamlined from gate to gate with the addition of a second exit processing gate," Tater Ortiz, CBP director of the Brownsville Port of Entry, told Transport Topics.
The partnership is being run through CBP's Donations Acceptance Program, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the General Services Administration, Transport Topics reported.
"Operational benefits will include an increase in throughput by commercial vehicles being able to drive forward into the state-mandated inspection facility rather than backing into the facility. The project also will add an additional wide load lane, booth and canopy to increase the capacity to discharge vehicles out of the LPOE," according to CBP.
Approximately 120 commercial trucks pass through the crossing daily. CBP officers at the Los Indios crossing (over the Free Trade International Bridge) processed more than 6,800 northbound commercial trucks in October, according to Ortiz.
The federal government will contribute $4.3 million toward the project, while TxDOT is paying the remaining $2.6 million for infrastructure improvements that include adding concrete pavement, a canopy, inspection booths, signs, fencing and striping at the northeast corner of the LPOE, Transport Topics reported.
The improvements will help connect the port of entry with a Texas Border Safety Inspection Facility at Los Indios in Cameron County, thereby more efficiently handling commercial traffic flows from Mexico to the United States.
"Trucks currently leave the port, drive down the roadway and then enter a temporary border safety inspection facility (BSIF). The new BSIF will be located adjacent to the LPOE. After the project is complete, the trucks will leave the LPOE and enter the BSIF seamlessly," Adam Hammons, TxDOT director of media relations, told Transport Topics.
Ortiz said construction will likely begin in May or June, with an estimated completion time of eight to 10 months to complete.
"Through public-private partnerships, our investments in infrastructure improvements at the Los Indios LPOE not only streamline traffic flow and reduce border wait times but also enhance commerce, improve connectivity, and strengthen communities," CBP acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane Sabatino told Transport Topics.
