Cargo Processing in Texas Improved at Del Rio Land Port
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Better processing of commercial vehicles by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Texas at the Del Rio Port of Entry is resulting from a small donated infrastructure project that enhances traffic flow.
“The construction of the new two-lane roadway from the base of the International Bridge enhances access to the expedited cargo lanes and improves SENTRI lane access to CBP processing through customs facilities, decreasing bridge wait times without requiring additional staff,” Liliana Flores, CBP director of the Del Rio Port of Entry, told Transport Topics.
SENTRI stands for Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection. In this CBP program, expedited clearance is given to preapproved, low-risk travelers who use dedicated primary traffic lanes from Mexico to enter U.S. southern land border ports.
Flores said the completed project allows northbound commercial traffic to divert toward the import lot earlier, thereby allowing SENTRI and regular passenger vehicle traffic to flow faster.
Flores
In fiscal 2022, CBP officers processed more than 76,800 northbound commercial trucks at the Del Rio Port of Entry. The Del Rio International Bridge has a total of four lanes: two southbound and two northbound. One lane is designated for commercial traffic in each direction.
Under CBP’s Donations Acceptance Program, the city of Del Rio constructed the new SENTRI lanes to enhance CBP’s processing by lowering wait times at the Del Rio entry. In December 2021, the city’s proposed infrastructure project to improve commercial traffic from Mexico was formalized with the federal government in a Donation Acceptance Agreement.
“CBP is prohibited from soliciting donations from public and private sector entities,” Flores said. “DAP partnerships are proposed by potential donors and the scope of work is evaluated by various departments. Upon proposal acceptance, CBP, the General Services Administration and the donor work together throughout the duration of the project. We are authorized to accept donations of real property, personal property and nonpersonal services from private sector and government entities.”
She said DAP offers a way for the border community and trade stakeholders to help equip CBP’s frontline officers and trade specialists with the tools and capabilities to operate more effectively.
U.S. Border Inspection Station at Del Rio, Texas. In fiscal 2022, CBP officers processed more than 76,800 northbound commercial trucks at the Del Rio Port of Entry. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection via Wikimedia)
The Del Rio Port of Entry project was focused on building a two-lane roadway totaling 1,700 linear feet, of which 400 feet is located within the land port of entry. Construction also involved adding drainage, signage, lighting and fencing.
Seven months of construction was completed by Nov. 30 with a shared announcement from the city of Del Rio, CBP and the U.S. General Services Administration.
“The roadway has no adverse impact to local and regional operations and encourages more trade traffic from Mexico by easing traffic delays and expediting customs inspections,” Flores said.
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