Congress Secures Funding For San Ysidro Border Project

Three San Diego congressional representatives announced Tuesday remaining funds for the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry infrastructure project have been secured.

Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53), Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52), and Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) advocated in December for approval of the federal omnibus spending bill, which provides $226 million to complete the project at the world’s busiest international border land crossing.

“Adding more lanes at the border crossing has been something San Diegans and local business leaders have long told me is a top priority for our region,” Rep. Davis said in a joint statement.

“Finishing the border crossing at San Ysidro is the top priority for our regional business community, and securing this funding was my personal infrastructure funding priority for this congress,” Rep. Peters said.

“The improvements that will be made to our border infrastructure will boost our economy and generate jobs, while also increasing border efficiency and security,” Rep. Vargas said.

Phase 1 construction components were completed last month, which include a pedestrian bridge and southbound pedestrian crossing on the east side of the port. Phase II and III had been awaiting funding.

In 2012, more than 11 million passenger vehicles, 68,000 buses and 8 million pedestrians crossed the San Ysidro border. SANDAG also estimates that delays and inefficiency at the border costs the region $7.2 billion in lost output and 62,000 jobs.