Bottleneck concerns at new Port of Entry worry community
Fender benders, drivers cutting inline in front of other drivers, numerous traffic violations and signs knocked down were all part of today’s opening of Calexico’s West Port of Entry.
Imperial County District 1 Supervisor John Renison said the worst might be yet to come when traffic going south might run into a bottleneck.
“Three-lane bridge over the New River going into Mexico when you go in the complex then it opens up into 8.Certainly, that’s a bottleneck,” Renison said.
County and City officials said they want to work with Mexicali to prevent traffic jams and other issues.
“We will prevail upon Mexican customs. We want to go down there, we want to meet with them and we want to make sure that they’re cognizant of our issues and they are,” Renison said.
Calexico Economic Commissioner Ben Horton said, “We have the economy works out on both sides of the border. People are able to plan their trips to Mexicali and vice-versa and they don’t have to worry about the long lines.”
City Council Member Bill Hodge said it’sa key moment.
“This is an historic event and it means a lot to Calexico and Mexicali. Hopefully, a great impact. Not now as you’re going south, but soon when people from Mexicali can go northbound. It will minimize the time that you have to wait. People will come and shop. The Grand Plaza is right next door.”
He said this expansion is part of the city’s growth.
“You have a population in Calexico that is growing. We need expansion. By birthrate, for one. By citizens coming in to the city. By new affordable housing. We’ve got construction underway for new housing, that’s going to bring in more people and hopefully more new businesses. The new port of entry will be a stimulus to population growth and economic growth,” Hodge said.
Renison said first some issues will have to be taken care of.
“We could open up 14 lanes over there, but you have three lanes here, at the new port southbound going into eight, it just doesn’t seem that it’s going to be that more efficient but I hope it is. I hope they’ve got something figured out and that they’ve really put their head in this,” Renison said.
Renison said the coming three-day weekend will be a good test for the readiness of the new Port of Entry.
