The Governor Gavin Newsom announced a landmark agreement Monday that strengthens California's partnership with Mexico and advances key border projects and initiatives.
In Mexico City, state representatives and a delegation of regional leaders joined the San Diego Association of Governments ?SANDAG? to sign the new Toll Revenue Sharing Agreement with Mexico that supports the construction of the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry on the San Diego-Tijuana route.
The new, state-of-the-art border crossing will reduce wait times, curb greenhouse gas emissions, boost economic growth and bolster binational trade along the busiest border region in the Western Hemisphere.
"Mexico is one of California's most important international partners and we share a deep bond that goes back generations," Governor Newsom said.
"Our state is a national leader when it comes to international cooperation and smart, clean infrastructure investments that are critical to the US supply chain at a time when states are using the border as an issue." wedge to divide people, California and Mexico are showing how cross-border agreements can strengthen our communities while growing our economy and providing a host of shared benefits,” he added.
Congressman Scott Peters, California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, and Assemblymen David Alvarez and Chris Ward witnessed the signing of the Toll Revenue Sharing Agreement, which comes on the heels of the Otay East Port of Entry Project Mesa that received a $150 million INFRA grant from the US Department of Transportation.
The new port of entry is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024.
"This new agreement, which I signed today as a witness, will bring economic prosperity to our cross-border region," said Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis. “The Otay Mesa East Port of Entry is a vital link in our nation's supply chain and the creation of thousands of jobs. This historic revenue sharing agreement solidifies the joint commitment of California and the Government of Mexico to boost commerce and create jobs."
US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar highlighted the importance of the firm on "California Day" with a local reception to recognize Caltrans, SANDAG and local partners who have built the necessary supporting transportation infrastructure and have planned and developed the Otay Mesa East priority project for the past several decades.
"California and Mexico share only 140 of our 2,000-mile border, but Cali-Baja is well above its weight in terms of its contributions to our economy and binational family," Ambassador Salazar said. "The Otay Mesa East Port of Entry is proof of the dynamism and creativity of our relationship and a symbol of the 21st century border we want to create."
The State Route 11 Otay Mesa East Port of Entry project is a joint venture between SANDAG and Caltrans in collaboration with state and federal partners in the US and Mexico to create a 21st century border crossing for the San Diego-Baja California megaregion that will improve regional mobility and boost economic growth and binational trade.
The proposed border improvements will provide fast, predictable, and secure border crossings through the construction of a four-lane toll road that will connect directly to a state-of-the-art Customs and Border Protection land port of entry and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement facility. of the California Highway Patrol.
You may be interested in: Undocumented Californians will be able to obtain a state identification card
