The Calexico West Land Port of Entry (LPOE) Reconfiguration and Expansion Project received $191 million in funding, U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA) said.
The funding was included in a fiscal year 2019 appropriations package that became law last week.
The project includes additional north and southbound inspection lanes, an expanded pedestrian processing facility and a new administrative office.
“This funding brings us one step closer to completing the Calexico LPOE project,” Vargas said. “When we invest in our border infrastructure, we are making long-term investments that will increase jobs, strengthen our national security, and stimulate our regional and national economies.”
Vargas said he is committed to ensuring the remaining $85 million necessary to complete the project is included in the fiscal year 2020 budget.
More than 25,000 pedestrians and motorists travel through the port of entry each day.
The project is considered vital to state’s economy. In 2011, imports and exports between California and Mexico were valued at more than $190 billion. This makes Mexico California’s top trading partner.
Approximately 5,639 lost jobs and $436 million in lost business in the state can be directly attributable to long border crossing wait times, according to a 2007 study by the Imperial Valley Association of Governments.