SOUTHLAND

Truckin’ on Down: At midnight Saturday, the U.S.-Mexican border opens to truckers. A clause in the North American Free Trade Agreement takes effect that will allow U.S. and Mexican truckers unfettered access to the six Mexican and four U.S. border states. Currently, U.S. truckers must give their cargo to Mexican carriers at the border, while northbound Mexican rigs must stay within 25 miles of the line. Eventually, both countries’ trucks will be permitted to make international hauls throughout North America. But don’t expect an immediate flood of 18-wheel traffic in either direction. For one thing, the Mexican documentation giving U.S. rigs and their drivers permission to operate in Mexico is not yet fully available. For their part, Mexican truckers are still figuring out the stricter safety and environmental rules that the U.S. authorities will enforce. And they will probably find that U.S. inspection facilities for northbound Mexican trucks are inadequate.