U.S. AND MEXICO CONVENE BINATIONAL SUMMIT ON OTAY MESA EAST PORT OF ENTRY

Jim O’Callaghan President and CEO of SCEDC was present to represent businesses throughout South County.

This Meeting reinforced thriving partnership between both countries, and the importance of delivering an innovative new border crossing to San Diego-Baja California region by 2024.

This week, more than 50 local, state, and federal representatives from the U.S. and Mexico joined regional stakeholders from both countries for a binational summit highlighting the importance of developing the Otay Mesa East-Mesa de Otay II Port of Entry by late 2024.The summit, moderated by California’s Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis, focused on how the U.S. and Mexico will continue to work together to build the new land port of entry by meeting ambitious construction milestones, quickly resolving policy issues, and establishing a framework to share toll revenues for project funding. The gathering of high-level political officials is a milestone event in the pursuit of completing Participants at the event voiced universal support for the project, which will increase cross border trade, bolster the local economy, increase efficiency and security with cutting edge technology, and decrease wait times and carbon emissions. Private sector representatives from the business, manufacturing, and technology industries also shared their perspective on the importance of bringing the project to fruition.

With over $600 million currently invested in the project, the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry will be the most secure, technologically advanced land crossing in U.S. history. The project is a major crossborder infrastructure initiative that will greatly expand trade capacity along the busiest border region in the Western Hemisphere. It will provide a fast, predictable, and secure crossing with an average wait time goal of 20 minutes.

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar; U.S. Representatives Sara Jacobs (CA-53); Juan Vargas (CA-51); and Scott Peters (CA-52); Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila; City of Tijuana Mayor Montserrat Caballero; SANDAG Chair and Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear; San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria; Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina; Caltrans District Director Gustavo Dallarda; Consul General Carlos González Gutiérrez; Road Development Director General of Ministry of Infrastructure; Communications and Transportation Rogelio Rivero; and Ministry of Foreign Relations Director of Public Affairs Pablo Gálvez; were among those in attendance.

About SR 11/Otay Mesa East Port of Entry Project
The final segment of the future toll road State Route 11 (SR 11) and the southbound connector ramps, linking State Route 125 (SR 125) to westbound State Route 905 (Sr 905), are being constructed as part of the SR 11/Otay Mesa East Port of Entry Project. The project is a joint venture between Caltrans and SANDAG, in collaboration with state and federal partners in the U.S and Mexico, to create a 21st century port of entry that will enhance regional mobility, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fuel economic growth, and bolster binational trade. Roadway and connecter ramp construction currently underway will ultimately provide a direct connection to a state-of-the-art U.S. Land Port of Entry and a California Highway Patrol Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility, enabling fast, predictable, and secure border crossings. To receive ongoing email updates about the project and what to expect during construction, please visit KeepSanDiegoMoving.com/SR11.