U.S. General Services Administration
Calexico West Land Port of Entry
The Calexico West Land Port of Entry is the main border crossing linking the important Imperial Valley agricultural industry to the State of Baja California. Built in 1974, the port’s pedestrian and vehicle inspection facility could no longer accommodate current traffic loads or meet the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s security requirements. Since 2015, the U.S. General Services Administration has led a modernization and expansion project to replace obsolete 1970s buildings with new expanded vehicle and pedestrian inspection facilities that enhance CBP’s ability to accomplish its mission. Phase 1, which was completed in Fall 2018, consisted of three southbound privately owned vehicle lanes and a southbound bridge over the New River, ten northbound privately owned vehicle inspections lanes with primary and secondary inspection canopies to include booths and inspection equipment, a new operations building, and sitework to accommodate those facilities on the sloping site. In fiscal year 2019, GSA received $191 million to fund Phase 2A of the project, leaving the final portion of the project unfunded.
In 2021, GSA received funding for Phase 2B through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to complete the project. Specifically, the BIL-funded portion includes the installation of a temporary pedestrian inspection facility. This will accommodate the demolition of the existing pedestrian building and construct an expanded, permanent pedestrian inspection facility with increased processing capacity. Once complete, the project will provide the port with adequate operational space, reduced traffic congestion, and a safe environment for port employees and visitors alike.
LPOE details
Fact sheet (English): Calexico West Land Port of Entry [PDF - 667 KB]
Fact sheet (Spanish): Garita de Calexico West [PDF - 2 MB]
Address: 1 E 1st St, Calexico, CA 92231
Year constructed: 1974
Port size: 17.8 acres
Budget:
Project design and land acquisition: $24 million
Phase 1: $98 million
Phase 2A: $191 million
Phase 2B: $85 million – $105 million (estimated BIL funding)
Primary tenant: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Average yearly border crossings:
4.9 million vehicle crossings
2.6 million pedestrian crossings
Current status
Phase 2A
Construction of Phase 2A includes: a new administration building; expansion of the vehicle secondary canopy inspection areas from nine to 16 and new northbound vehicle lanes from 10 to 16; five new southbound vehicle lanes, inspection booths, and canopy area; and secure employee parking is ongoing. A year-long traffic advisory is in place to identify lane closures for the installation of a large canopy over the northbound vehicle lanes.
Phase 2B (BIL project)
GSA completed its programmatic environmental impact statement process in Fall 2022, which evaluated the potential impact of Phase 2B work as part of the port’s modernization and expansion project. GSA held a series of public meetings to gather input from the local community and key stakeholders.
A design build scoping contract, which will be used to develop the project’s design-build solicitation package, was awarded in March 2023. Award of a Design Build contract is anticipated Summer of 2024.
Environmental review
Temporary pedestrian processing facility
GSA completed an environmental assessment to review the potential impacts of constructing a temporary pedestrian processing facility and alternatives at the Calexico West Land Port of Entry. These NEPA documents are available for review.
Modernization and expansion project
The final environmental impact statement for the modernization and expansion project was published May 2011 and the record of decision was published July 21, 2011. The EIS documents are available for review. The appendix documents can be found in the national NEPA Library.
Local updates
Apr. 25, 2023, GSA officials brief community stakeholders and civic leaders on the port modernization and expansion project. The slides [PDF - 875 KB] are available for review.
Traffic advisories
Oct. 6, 2022
Vehicle Traffic Impact at the Calexico West Port of Entry Will Last a Year
Project news
Aug. 18, 2022
GSA Awards Renovation Contract For Old Customs Building in Calexico
Feb. 25, 2022
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funds Completion of Calexico West Port of Entry
La ley bipartidista de infraestructuras financia la finalización del puerto de entrada Calexico oeste
President Biden and U.S. General Services Administration Announce Major Land Port Projects funded by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Project timeline
| Phase | Planning | Design | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Environmental assessment
|
Design award
|
Construction start
Substantial completion
|
|
2A |
Environmental assessment
|
Design award
|
Construction start
Substantial completion
|
|
2B |
Environmental assessment
|
Design-build award
|
Construction start
Substantial completion
|
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
We received $3.4 billion to invest in our nation’s infrastructure and competitiveness. The law provides funding for LPOE modernization projects that will create new good-paying jobs, bolster safety and security, and make our economy more resilient to supply chain challenges — all while serving as models for sustainability and innovation.
Visit the California LPOE page for an overview of BIL projects there, as well as priorities, benefits and further information.
Sustainability opportunities
As a Design Excellence project, GSA is incorporating sustainable features aimed to minimize the port’s overall environmental impact with energy savings of 25 percent. The project was designed in 2007 to meet the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design criteria for a LEED Silver rating, and the final design strives to attain LEED Gold rating.
Community impact
The Calexico West modernization and expansion will greatly enhance the traveling public’s experience by significantly increasing CBP’s pedestrian and vehicle inspection capacity and reducing border crossing wait times.
Phase 2B will double the number of pedestrian inspection booths from six to 12, inside a new, state-of-the-art 39,000 square foot pedestrian inspection building.