The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has finalized a $150 million grant for a major infrastructure project along the San Diego-Baja California border. The funding, part of the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program, will go toward constructing a new port of entry and toll road at Otay Mesa East, a critical region for freight and commercial transport between the United States and Mexico.
Announced on April 15 by DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, the grant is part of the department’s initiative to clear a backlog of over 3,200 grants announced during the Biden administration but never fulfilled. Duffy emphasized the project’s dual goals: improving freight movement and enhancing national security. He also highlighted the removal of a previously included zero-emission vehicle charging provision, aligning the project more closely with the Trump administration’s infrastructure priorities and distancing it from what he referred to as “Green New Deal” objectives.
The Otay Mesa East Port of Entry project aims to alleviate congestion at existing ports of entry, including Otay Mesa and Tecate, which are currently operating at or beyond capacity. Once completed, the new facility is expected to handle approximately 3,600 trucks daily, significantly improving the flow of goods across the border. The project also includes the construction of a new toll road, California State Route 11, which will streamline access to regional freight distribution hubs, including the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and the Inland Empire’s megadistribution centers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Additionally, the funding supports the installation of inspection equipment for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as well as a commercial vehicle enforcement facility for use by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and California Highway Patrol. These enhancements are designed to strengthen border security while maintaining efficient freight operations.
DOT’s plan also incorporates a workforce development component. It will establish a local hire agreement prioritizing disadvantaged communities and launch a pre-apprenticeship program to support job training and local employment.
California Governor Gavin Newsom praised the development, citing its potential to boost the state’s economy and job market. “This new port of entry will strengthen California’s world-leading economy, create jobs and support regional communities through trade,” he said.
Meanwhile, the DOT’s INFRA grants continue to support high-impact infrastructure projects nationwide. In fiscal year 2022, the program allocated $1.5 billion for various initiatives, including truck parking and multimodal freight improvements.
As work progresses on the Otay Mesa East project, Congress is concurrently developing new multiyear highway legislation to replace provisions from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which expires in 2026. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Shelley Moore Capito emphasized the importance of state-specific flexibility in future transportation policy, signaling bipartisan support for regionally tailored infrastructure solutions.
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