New Mexico Extends Hours of Operations at Border

img src="/sites/default/files/images/articles/printeditiontag_new.gif" width=120 align=right>New Mexico is trying to attract more commercial traffic to its Santa Teresa port of entry by allowing trucks to operate longer on certain days, state officials said.

The test program, which began March 27, allows truckers to operate until 8 p.m. on the final Saturday of each month for the next few months, said a state economic development official. Normally, the port is open from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.

“Our ultimate goal is to have 24-hour customs service for passenger [traffic] and expanded hours for commercial vehicles,” Rudy Garcia, director of New Mexico Department of Economic Development’s Mexican Affairs and Trade Division, said.