U.S. General Services Administration
New Douglas Commercial Port included in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
New port construction to reduce congestion, bolster regional supply chain
SAN FRANCISCO —
Today, the Biden Administration and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden will enable the construction of a new state-of-the-art commercial Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in Douglas, Arizona.
“America’s land ports are vital to our economy and our security, with billions of dollars in goods and services crossing our borders each and every day,” said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan. “These bipartisan investments are a historic opportunity to modernize our land ports in ways that will create good-paying jobs and strengthen supply chains, while enhancing safety and security.”
The $3.4 billion in direct spending by GSA under the law is estimated to support, on average, nearly 6,000 annual jobs over the next 8 years; add $3.23 billion in total labor income across the United States; contribute an additional $4.5 billion to the National Gross Domestic Product; and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for state, local, and federal governments.
In Douglas, this new port will be located approximately 4.5 miles west of the existing Raul Hector Castro LPOE. Upon completion of the new port, commercial inspection operations will shift to that location permanently, and the current downtown port will be completely modernized and expanded to accommodate passenger and pedestrian traffic only.
“Thanks to our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Douglas Port of Entry will receive the funds needed to construct a new commercial port of entry and modernize existing port infrastructure. These critical investments will revitalize downtown Douglas, strengthen the regional economy and secure our border,” said Senator Mark Kelly.
The construction project, slated for completion in a single phase, will bolster trade by strengthening the regional supply chain, facilitating legal binational commerce, and enhancing federal agencies’ capacities to conduct their respective missions. The more than $200 million project will include the construction of primary commercial inspection booths, administrative and support buildings, enclosed secondary commercial vehicle inspection docks, employee parking, and a hazardous materials building.
“Our underfunded and outdated infrastructure has real costs to families, our economy, and our global competitiveness,” said Senior Advisor & White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu. “President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing in strengthening our supply chains, including our land ports which are vital for moving goods across our borders.”
Constructed in 1933, the Castro LPOE, the second busiest commercial crossing in Arizona, continues to serve as a vital gateway for the people and economies of Douglas and Agua Prieta in Mexico. Construction of the new port will allow for the safer processing and screening of trucks carrying oversized mining equipment and hazardous chemicals. The commercial port will also facilitate the passage of essential supplies for the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries, as well as farming equipment, electrical equipment, construction materials, and copper wiring.
“As we all know, the Raul Hector Castro LPOE in Douglas is no longer suitable for the amount of traffic that flows through it,” said Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick. “That’s why securing funding for LPOEs was one of my top priorities in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. I’ve seen firsthand the desperate need for these investments and am proud to have worked with local stakeholders, GSA, and the Biden Administration to secure this critical funding. The construction of a new commercial port and revitalization of the existing Raul Hector Castro LPOE in Douglas are necessary investments for Southern Arizona that will both spur economic growth and improve border security. I look forward to monitoring progress on these important projects and will continue working to improve Arizona’s border infrastructure.”
A dedicated commercial port in Douglas will better facilitate the crossing of commercial goods, and spur the development of new businesses and attract investments in southeastern Arizona.
“GSA’s Pacific Rim Region is thrilled to see funding for a new commercial port in the city of Douglas,” said Acting Regional Administrator Dan Brown. “These investments will make a great difference for the community, facilitating trade across the border with Mexico and providing the U.S. Customs and Border Protection with facilities to safely and effectively conduct their vital mission.”
The legislation will fund two additional port projects in Arizona at the San Luis I and Raul Hector Castro LPOEs. Beyond making these border crossings more functional, sustainable, and secure, this investment will also foster economic growth and job creation in surrounding communities. The new Douglas Commercial port is one of 26 major construction and modernization land port of entry projects funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The average land port of entry is nearly 40 years old and long overdue for upgrades. Investment in port modernization will strengthen supply chains, improve operational capabilities and facility infrastructure, spur economic growth, and bolster the country’s security.
Many of these modernization projects will allow CBP to more effectively deploy the latest technology to identify high risk activity and shipments, combat drug trafficking, and increase operational security.
For more information on how GSA is modernizing Land Ports of Entry, please go here.
*Note: Estimated project costs are planning estimates and subject to change due to time and market conditions.
About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet and overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts. GSA’s mission is to deliver value and savings in real estate, acquisition, technology, and other mission-support services across government, in support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.