The debate over opening additional border lanes into Tijuana has become a contentious issue between the municipality and the state government. Following the renovation of the San Ysidro Port of Entry nine years prior, several southbound lanes were preserved despite the implementation of a new vehicular flow into Tijuana.
Nearly ten years on, with daily evening commutes into Mexico resulting in waits of two to three hours, there have been increasing demands to reactivate the old lanes, also referred to as Puerta Mexico or “Mexico’s Door.”
A key advocate for this initiative is Baja California’s Secretary of Economy and Innovation, Kurt Honold Morales, who contends that the city administration is obstructing the proposal. “After the city’s urgent request, we submitted the plan and are now awaiting their approval to commence,” stated Honold Morales.
He argues that reopening these lanes would benefit the 87,000 residents of Tijuana who traverse the border each day for work in the United States, emphasizing the necessity of the action.
The situation worsened in November when the Mexican authorities undertook the modernization of southbound lanes by integrating new facial recognition technology, leading to regular extensive traffic delays.
The project was scheduled for completion last week, which would have allowed for the full operation of all lanes and improved traffic flow. However, the work has been delayed, and several lanes continue to be out of service. Honold Morales expresses his hope for a prompt resolution and for the city to endorse the project.
“The desire for this is unanimous, particularly among those who reside here but are employed across the border,” he remarked.
Source: Fox San Diego
