San Francisco, CA–The Biden Administration and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) said Friday that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden will enable the completion of the Calexico West Land Port of Entry (LPOE) modernization and expansion project, strengthening supply chains, creating jobs, and enhancing security and trade.
“America’s land ports are vital to our economy and our security, with billions of dollars in goods and services crossing our borders each and every day,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “These bipartisan investments are a historic opportunity to modernize our land ports in ways that will create good-paying jobs and strengthen supply chains while enhancing safety and security.”
Specifically, the funding will replace the current 1970s era building with a newly expanded state-of-the-art secure pedestrian facility for processing pedestrians entering the United States. Keeping the port operational during construction is critical to the region and the project will temporarily shift the processing of pedestrians to the adjacent historic customs, maintaining operations. This updated infrastructure will provide the capacity to reduce wait times and enhance the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) ability to conduct its mission. For example, the project will allow CBP to more effectively deploy the latest technology to identify high-risk activity and shipments, combat drug trafficking, and increase operational security.
“Our underfunded and outdated infrastructure has real costs to families, our economy, and our global competitiveness,” said Senior Advisor & White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu. “President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing in strengthening our supply chains, including our land ports which are vital for moving goods across our borders.”
The port is the gateway between the communities of Calexico in the U.S. and the Mexican community of Mexicali. The Calexico West LPOE is a major driver of economic opportunity for the residents of Calexico, a rural community with an agriculture-based economy.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes $3.4 billion for 26 major construction and modernization projects at land ports of entry, strengthening supply chains, creating jobs, and enhancing security and trade. The average land port of entry is nearly 40 years old and long overdue for upgrades. Investment in port modernization will improve operational capabilities and facility infrastructure, spur economic growth, and bolster the country’s security.
“Land ports of entry in our region are critical to the success of our local economy,” said Rep. Juan Vargas. “I’m pleased that funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go toward the completion of the Calexico West Land Port of Entry. Our infrastructure is in serious need of modernization, and these funds will ensure that our land ports can address supply chain issues and ease crossing wait times, all while creating good-paying local jobs.”
The $3.4 billion in direct spending by GSA under the law is estimated to support, on average, nearly 6,000 annual jobs over the next 8 years; add $3.23 billion in total labor income across the United States; contribute an additional $4.5 billion to the National Gross Domestic Product; and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for the state, local, and federal governments. This will invest more than $100 million in the project and will foster economic growth and job creation in surrounding communities while bolstering safety and security.
“GSA is excited to be furthering the Imperial Valley’s economic opportunity and vitality through this significant investment in one of California’s busiest land ports of entry,” said Acting Regional Administrator Dan Brown. “We’re pleased to begin work on the final phase of construction at the Calexico West LPOE and to deliver a modern, state-of-the-art facility for CBP to safely and effectively conduct its mission.”
Overall, the legislation will invest more than $100 million* in the Calexico West Land Port of Entry project. Beyond making this border crossing more functional, sustainable, and secure, this investment will also foster economic growth and job creation in surrounding communities.
The project will also incorporate sustainability features to curtail the effects of climate change, and reduce our building’s environmental footprint through the use of sustainable construction materials to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
