Otay Mesa Border Station to Expand
Federal officials unveiled plans Monday for a proposed $14-million expansion of the border-crossing station at Otay Mesa that would double or triple the facility’s commercial inspection capabilities.
In announcing the plans, Rep. Bill Lowery (R-San Diego) noted that the crossing is currently operating near maximum capacity, processing about 700 trucks a day that enter from Tijuana.
In addition, officials said they hope to construct a new turnstile gate at the San Ysidro border crossing that would allow trolley riders who exit at the San Ysidro stop to walk directly into Mexico. Currently, passengers leaving the trolley must climb stairs and walk over a bridge spanning Interstate 5 before entering Mexico. The idea of the new trolley gate is to encourage people to take public transportation to the border, thus easing the legendary traffic jams that now afflict San Ysidro and other border crossings.
The officials said they hope to have the new turnstiles installed by Jan. 31, the date of the Super Bowl in San Diego.
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