U.S. General Services Administration
General Services Administration completes $134M Construction Project to Modernize San Diego’s Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry at U.S. Mexico Border
SAN DIEGO ㅡ The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has completed a $134 million modernization and expansion project at the Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry (LPOE) along the U.S. Mexico border in California.
A vital regional economic engine and travel gateway, the Otay Mesa port processes over $13.5 billion in exports and $37.4 billion in imports, nearly 1 million commercial trucks, 2.1 million pedestrians, and 5 million privately owned vehicles annually. Its outdated and undersized 1990s infrastructure struggled to keep pace with surging traffic flows, causing traffic congestion and long wait times and impacting the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to conduct its mission.
The Otay Mesa Port of Entry is one of three land ports of entry (LPOE) in the San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan region, in the U.S. state of California, the third-busiest commercial port of entry on the Mexico–United States border.
“We are excited to deliver this modernized facility. In addition to the number of pedestrian inspection booths, the project significantly improves efficiency of inspection areas, processing flows, and the overall travel experience,” said Sukhee Kang, Regional Administrator for GSA’s Pacific Rim Region. “Investing in the infrastructure and modernization of land ports of entry is not just pivotal, but imperative for America’s economic growth, national border security, and efficient cross-border transportation.”
GSA has modernized and expanded the existing port to increase commercial vehicle and pedestrian processing capacity to support the tenant agencies’ ability to conduct their respective missions. The overall project involved doubling the number of pedestrian processing facilities to better connect travelers to a nearby transit hub, construction of a new commercial annex building, commercial truck inspection circulation improvements, an increase of commercial inspection booths from 9 to 16, and construction of a visitor parking lot and secure employee parking structure. The project provides the port with adequate operational space, reduces traffic congestion, and creates a safer environment for port employees and commercial vehicles.
“CBP’s San Diego Field Office recently collaborated with GSA on the modernization and expansion of our port of entry,” stated Rosa Hernandez, Otay Mesa Port Director. “The enhancements in expanding the footprint in cargo and the reconfiguration of the pedestrian crossing, will not only aid in safeguarding the homeland but also facilitate expedite processing of lawful trade and travel.”
The project consisted of 2 phases. Phase 1 of the project, completed in Spring 2022, improved commercial truck circulation which hampered traffic moving within the facility and increased the number of commercial inspection booths from nine to 16. GSA also moved the hazmat facility from its legacy location that impacted exports to a new location in the import lot enhancing goods movement. Finally, a binational return to Mexico lane was constructed allowing trucks denied entry into the U.S. a dedicated lane for return to Mexico, no longer affecting entering traffic. In addition, GSA built a new commercial annex building, a 231 car parking garage providing secure parking for CBP officers and a new U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection facility were constructed to enhance the nation’s supply chain.
Phase 2 of the project focused on the active pedestrian processing, doubling the number of pedestrian inspection booths from 6 to 12 and included a pedestrian bridge avoiding traffic and safely connecting pedestrians to the nearby San Diego Metropolitan Transit System hub. Now complete, the project provides the port with adequate operational space, reduces traffic congestion, and creates a safer environment for port employees, pedestrians, and commercial vehicles.
GSA is also working on a $1.6 million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funded project to pave the port’s pre-primary vehicle inspection queuing area with a more sustainable low-embodied carbon (LEC) concrete. In contrast to the existing asphalt, the new LEC concrete boasts a lower carbon footprint, requires less maintenance and is longer lasting - underscoring the GSA’s commitment to sustainability. The paving project is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2024.
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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 over $100 billion in products and services via federal 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.