Mexico’s gas situation leads to economic boost in Calexico

County officials say the gasoline situation in Mexico helped the economy in the U.S. but also created long wait times to cross from Calexico to Mexicali.

The closure of gas stations in Mexicali during the last six days has brought hundreds of Mexicali drivers across the border to fill up their gas tanks, giving an economic boost to Calexico.

Early this morning the blockade at the fuel storage and distribution terminal in Mexicali was removed by authorities. Now according to Pemex it will take at least two days to supply more than 200 gas stations in the capital city.

County officials say this will help with long lines at more than 10 gas stations in Calexico, but not the wait times to cross into Mexicali.

District 1 County Supervisor John Renison says city and county officials have already met with Mexican customs to help alleviate this problem.

“We did get an assurance from the customs director in Mexicali that the downtown port during peak hours say at three or four in the afternoon depending on the backup, which has been daily now, they will adjust that and open four lanes total they can’t open more than four,” said Renison.

According to Renison, the other four lanes going south are used for inspection purposes. The lane closures are set to remain until June when part of the construction at the new downtown port of entry is completed.