Visit to the Border
The Washington, D.C., region that Transport Topics calls home does have its perks. Free Smithsonian museums, events on the National Mall and historic landmarks are all there for employees and visitors to enjoy, even if it means fighting the region’s notorious traffic. But where else does traffic often get halted by a passing presidential motorcade?
Likewise, it is not uncommon to spot a celebrity at one of the three local airports, or bump into a politician waiting in line at the grocery store or local dry cleaner. And, specific to TT staff, there also is that former two-term governor from Kansas with whom we share the elevator each morning.
But for all that Washington can offer, sometimes spending too much time “Inside the Beltway” insulates us from the perspectives of the rest of the United States.
This is why Transport Topics made it a point to visit the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, which links San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico, during a recent West Coast trip. We took advantage of the unique opportunity to view commercial vehicles crossing the U.S.-Mexico border Oct. 8, the morning after American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition came to a close.
PHOTO GALLERY: Trucking Through the U.S.-Mexico Border
It took several weeks to obtain proper clearances from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to make this trip happen, and we thank the agency for this special access.
As a news organization, it is our job to tell stories. However, as we digested the hours we spent observing the process, we came to the conclusion that photos told the tale far better than a thousand words by a reporter could.
That is why we elected to present “Trucking Through the U.S.-Mexico Border” in a photo-essay format, a decision made all the more easy thanks to the talents of photojournalist John Sommers II and TT senior designer Joseph Terry.
Their photos and design can be found on pp. 1, 6-7. An additional series of photos can viewed on our website at bit.ly/TTBorderGallery.
According to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation, nearly two-thirds of all U.S.-Mexico trade in 2013 was moved by trucks. And it was obvious from our experiences at the border that it takes a stunning amount of coordination, collaboration and technology to balance the obvious safety and security concerns with the needs to ensure the efficient flow of goods.
We hope you enjoy the photos.
