FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                           

November 15, 2023                                                                                  

GSA Contact: Mary Simms

Email: mary.simms@gsa.gov

Cell: (415) 971-282

ICTC Contact: David Aguirre

Email: davidaguirre@imperialctc.org

Office: (760) 592-4494 

GSA, ICTC, regional partners celebrate completion of Calexico East Land Port of Entry’s new bridge expansion - Stage 1

Additional lanes will reduce congestion, provide safety, air quality, and economic benefits

CALEXICO, Calif ㅡ Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) joined the Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC), the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), and other regional partners for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Calexico East Land Port of Entry (LPOE) to celebrate the completion of the port’s new, expanded bridge infrastructure. Once complete, the overall project will increase the number of northbound lanes by four (two for commercial vehicles and two for passenger vehicles) for a total of eight lanes including the addition of an eight-foot shoulder for out-of-service vehicles and pedestrian fencing and improvements by Spring 2024. Mexico is in the process of completing infrastructure improvements to its port facility. Coordination between the project partners and Mexico continues, to fully maximize the improvements to the Calexico East Land Port of Entry.

Every year, over 453,000 commercial trucks and 2.6 million vehicles enter the U.S. through Calexico East LPOE. The additional lanes will reduce congestion on the bridge and provide safety, air quality, and economic benefits as trucks currently crossing at this port carry an estimated $20 billion in exports and imports annually.

The Imperial County Transportation Commission, CalTrans, and the County of Imperial partnered with GSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to better the region’s economic competitiveness by expanding the number of lanes over the All-American Canal. These lanes will improve CBP’s ability to better utilize its inspection infrastructure, allow for better lane segmentation, and better serve the dynamic Imperial County economy.

The $32.5 million expansion project was funded through local transportation funding and state and federal grants, including the federal government’s Better Utilizing Infrastructure to Leverage Development program and the State of California’s Trade Corridor Enhancement Program grants.

As the federal government’s landlord and property caretaker, GSA used the agency’s gift acceptance authority to receive these transportation-related infrastructure improvements from the Imperial County Transportation Commission.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured a distinguished group of speakers representing federal, state, and local government agencies, including ICTC, CalTrans, GSA, CBP, California Transportation Commission and the U.S. Federal Highway Administration.

“ICTC is excited to deliver the long awaited bridge widening improvements at the Calexico East Port of Entry. The completed project will provide much needed infrastructure to further facilitate goods movement, reduce emissions created by idling vehicles and improve the port crossing experience for passenger vehicles and walking pedestrians alike,” explained Mike Goodsell, ICTC.

He further added, “This project would not be possible without local, state, federal, and binational partnerships and the financial support of both the Federal Highways Administration, and the California Transportation Commission.”

“Across the state, nobody understands and appreciates the special relationship between the United States and Mexico better than our border communities,” said Caltrans District Director Gustavo Dallarda. Caltrans is honored to partner with the Imperial County Transportation Commission to build the infrastructure connecting California with Mexico while improving Imperial County Port of Entry freight facilities in Calexico.”

“This bridge expansion project was devised and funded through the efforts of the ICTC and state and local partners,” said Amanda Sweeney, Public Buildings Service Deputy Regional Commissioner for GSA’s Pacific Rim Region. “GSA is proud to have worked with them on delivering this innovative project to the region. Through this effort, the Imperial Valley will continue to grow and deliver economic opportunity to the region, state, and nation as a whole.”

"This project marks a pivotal moment for our community - the completion of a much-anticipated expansion infrastructure. It's a bridge that connects more than just two points on the map; it bridges opportunities, unites communities, and offers a clearer path towards a more efficient and prosperous future," stated Roque Caza, Calexico Area Port Director. "With reduced traffic congestion, we pave the way for improved accessibility, fostering economic development and strengthening the bonds that tie us together." 

Vehicle traffic will be diverted to the new bridge expansion on Monday, November 20, at 6:00 a.m. Additional construction work to include pedestrian improvements, the addition of the two passenger vehicle lanes, and lane striping work will continue through March 2024.     

More information about the Calexico East Land Port of Entry bridge expansion project.

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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.

About ICTC: The Imperial County Transportation Commission was established under Senate Bill 607 (SB 607 - Ducheny) which was approved by the California Legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009. As a county transportation commission, ICTC member agencies are enabled to exercise basic initiative and leadership in the transportation planning and programming process. The ICTC is also responsible for the administration and oversight of the Imperial County public transit system, the Local Transportation Authority, the Imperial Valley Resource Management Agency and the Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies. The ICTC acts in accordance with all applicable laws and statutes for county transportation commissions. For more information, please visit www.imperialctc.org