California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday that his state had entered into an agreement with Mexico regarding key border projects and initiatives.
The new Toll Revenue Sharing Agreement with Mexico supports the construction of a new port of entry at the San Diego-Tijuana border, the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry. The new border crossing facility is geared toward reducing wait times, curbing greenhouse gas emissions, and bolstering binational trade along the busiest border region in the Western Hemisphere, officials said.
“Mexico is one of California’s most important international partners, and we share a deep bond that stretches back generations,” Newsom said. “Our state is a national leader when it comes to international cooperation and smart, clean infrastructure investments that are critical to the U.S. supply chain. At a time when states are using the border as a wedge issue to divide people, California and Mexico are showing how cross-border agreements can strengthen our communities while growing our economy and bringing a host of shared benefits.”
Previously, the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry Project received $150 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation to go toward the facility’s construction. The port of entry is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024. National, state, and local leaders joined the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) in Mexico City to sign the Toll Revenue Sharing Agreement.
“This new agreement, which I signed as a witness today, will bring economic prosperity to our cross-border region,” said Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis. “The Otay Mesa East Port of Entry is a vital link in our nation’s supply chain and in creating thousands of jobs. This historic revenue sharing agreement solidifies the joint commitment of California and the Government of Mexico to boosting trade and creating jobs.”
Officials said proposed border improvements will provide fast, predictable, and secure border crossing that connects a four-lane tolled road to a state-of-the-art Customs and Border Protection Land Port of Entry and a California Highway Patrol Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility.