MEXICO U.S. BORDER INFRASTRUCTUREknowledgecenter.csg.org/kc/system/files/Ahearne_PDF.pdf · MEXICO – U.S. BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE Future of North American Infrastructure North American

MEXICO – U.S. BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE

Future of North American Infrastructure North American Summit & National Conference

October 22, 2011

Sean Carlos Cázares Ahearne Deputy Director General for Border Affairs

Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE)

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Mexico carries out decisive actions to increase its competitiveness, looking to

successfully engage the challenges imposed by the international conditions.

Our geographical proximity is the only advantage that we permanently share; hence the

development of a world class infrastructure with a binational scope– highways, railways,

land ports and seaports– is essential to enable timely and efficient supply to producers

and consumers.

However, the increasing saturation of our common border represents a challenge we

must overcome through the modernization and expansion of the existing infrastructure

and the construction of modern ones with an intensive use of technology.

If the current capacity of ports of entry (POE s) were not increased and the projected

demand would continue to grow, 85% of the POE s would reach complete saturation by

2014.

In this regard, proper US and Mexico agencies work closely to develop coordinated

plans and actions to increase the capacity of our border crossings and roads to

efficiently address traffic flows.

INTRODUCTION

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CARGO FLOWS DISTRIBUTION BY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

Scale

Load distribution by mode of transport

Highway Railroad Sea

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BORDER CROSSING HIGHLIGHTS

Since the signing of NAFTA , trade exchange between Mexico and the United States

has grown exponentially and today it accounts for nearly 400 billion USD.

The efficient and secure movement of passengers and freight between Mexico and

the United States is fundamental for the development of both nations:

Mexico is the 3rd most important source of imports for the U.S.

(12% / $230 billion USD)

Mexico is the 2nd most important destination of U.S. exports

(12.8% / $164 billion USD).

Approximately 70% of the value of that trade exchange is done by truck and 8.4% by

rail, meanwhile only 16.4% is done by ship and the remaining 3.9% by other means

of transportation.

98% of the trans-border passenger movement is done by land.

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BORDER CROSSING HIGHLIGHTS

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In 2010, nearly 170 million passengers, 4.8 million trucks and close to

64 million passenger vehicles crossed the border from Mexico to the

US through 54 border crossings.

Trade between Mexico and the U.S. has grown exponentially, but our

border facilities have not grown accordingly.

BORDER FLOWS BETWEEN MEXICO – UNITED STATES

In 2010, nearly 170 million passengers, 4.8 million trucks and close to 64 million vehicles crossed the border

from Mexico to the US.

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Projected truck flows for 2020

(Total number of trucks per year)

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• In recent years, Mexico and the United States have reached remarkable

levels of understanding and coordination on the development of border

infrastructure, hence strengthening North America´s competitiveness.

• Our governments agree on the importance of the border as a region of

opportunity and bi-national cooperation. We carry out efforts in order to

strengthen security and encourage commercial trade.

• The development of new infrastructure at the US-Mexico border suffered

a historical impasse. However, in 2007 we achieved the simultaneous

construction of three new ports of entry for the first time in history:

– Reynosa – McAllen “Anzaldúas” (Tamaulipas-Texas) *Inaugurated

January 2010.

– San Luis Río Colorado – San Luis II, (Sonora-Arizona)

*Inaugurated November 2010.

– Río Bravo – Donna (Tamaulipas–Texas). *Inaugurated December

2010.

US – Mexico Border Infrastructure Recent Achievements

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MODERNIZATION OF THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE

Reconfiguration and expansion of the facilities to its maximum

capacity.

Implementation of technology (SENTRI, FAST, SIAVE).

BUILDING NEW INFRASTRUCTURE

New international bridges and border crossings.

Construction of bypasses and road accesses.

INTERMODAL INTEGRATION

Creation of intermodal facilities.

Construction of Rail bridges and bypasses.

Implementation of massive passenger transport systems and BRT’s in

the border cities.

STRATEGIC GOALS

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MAIN FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION NETWORK IN MEXICO

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MAIN HIGHWAY PROJECTS 2007 - 2012

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NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (NIP)

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Tijuana – San Ysidro Expansion Project

• Busiest border crossing in the world. Every day, it serves over 50,000 northbound vehicles and 25,000 northbound pedestrians.

• This POE is undergoing a major expansion and modernization in both sides of the border to increase its efficiency and reduce wait times.

• Mexico could begin operations of the new facilities at the end of 2012.

• Agencies from both countries carry out regular technical meetings to ensure proper and permanent coordination regarding this project.

US – Mexico Border Infrastructure Projects

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Tijuana Airport – San Diego Cross Border Facility

• New border crossing that will enable ticketed airline passengers to travel between Tijuana International Airport and San Diego, through an enclosed, elevated pedestrian bridge.

• It will provide a direct, fast an secure alternative to and from Tijuana Airport. It will help to reduce border wait times and traffic congestion.

• Its construction is planned to begin in November 2011.

US – Mexico Border Infrastructure Projects

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Nogales III – Mariposa

• It is the main border crossing of fresh produce from Mexico to the US (40% of US import of fresh produce during winter).

• Major reconfiguration and expansion binational project that includes a complete renovation of US facilities and lane additions in Mexico.

• Mexico just started construction and will be ready to open new lanes at the end of November.

Guadalupe – Tornillo

• New bridge for passenger/commercial traffic and pedestrians just outside the major urban area of Ciudad Juárez-El Paso.

• USA started construction on July 2011 and will finish on April 2013.

• Mexico will start construction next December and finish on April 2013.

US – Mexico Border Infrastructure Projects

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Matamoros – Brownsville West Rail Bypass and Bridge

• First railway crossing built in the Mexico-USA border in over a century.

• USA started construction on December 2010 and Mexico on May 2011. Construction will end on both countries during the 3rd trimester of 2012.

US – Mexico Border Infrastructure Projects

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Ongoing construction work for the new Matamoros – Brownsville West Rail Bridge

Twenty-first Century Border Management

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21st Century Border Management

• Mexico and the United States have a shared interest in

creating a border that promotes economic competitiveness for

the whole of North America, enhancing regional security

through safe, efficient, rapid, and lawful movement of goods

and people.

• President Obama and President Calderón have recognized

the potential value of a collaborative administration of their

common border through the Declaration by The

Government of The United States Of America and The

Government of Mexico Concerning Twenty-First Century

Border Management on May, 2010.

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• Both Governments carry out coordinated efforts to strenghten cooperation by:

– Enhancing economic competitiveness by expediting lawful trade, while preventing the transit of illegal merchandise.

– Facilitating lawful travel and enhancing secure flows of goods and people.

– Disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal organizations and punishing their members and supporters , and

– Making the communities in border states partners in efforts to protect public safety by integrating law enforcement efforts with social assistance, community outreach, and responsiveness to citizen concerns.

21st Century Border Management

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• Both governments agreed and established a binational framework and structure to work on the implementation of a Bilateral Action Plan which comprises the main initiatives regarding the modernization of our common border.

• Throughout this year, agencies from both countries have held five bilateral meetings.

• Internal coordination and work between the Federal agencies in both countries is continuous.

21st Century Border Management

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Action items in the Bilateral Action Plan include:

• Improvement of bi-national coordination in planning, financing,

permitting, designing, building, and operating ports of entry.

• Use of shared programs, enhanced information sharing,

improved technology, and other risk management strategies.

• Creation of protocols to ensure full binational coordination

before, during, and after emergency shutdowns.

21st Century Border Management

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• Test concepts for pre-clearance, pre-screening, and pre-

inspection of people, goods, and products.

• Reduce congestion and delays in cross-border traffic entering

both Mexico and the United States.

• Enhance law enforcement cooperation including the

collection, analysis, and sharing of information.

• Implement coordinated binational stakeholder interaction

mechanisms.

21st Century Border Management

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21st Century Border Management Action items regarding infrastructure and transportation

Actions Subject

3 Border Master Planning processes along the border

6 Construction or expansion of Ports of Entry

3 Expansion of secure and efficient trusted traveler and trusted shipper programs (Global Entry, SENTRI and FAST).

3 Reducing border wait times and improving Intelligent Transportation Systems at the border.

21st Century Border Management

• As of today, nearly 30% of the action items have been completed.

• Ongoing work and current progress on the remaining action items will allow us to complete nearly 60% of the Action Plan by next December.

Final Remarks • Accomplishing a comprehensive modernization of the border

is the stepping-stone for the enhancement of North America´s regional competitiveness.

• Our ultimate goal is to secure flows of goods and people between our countries while expediting legitimate commerce and travel and reducing the duration and variability of wait times.

• Our geographical proximity is the only advantage that we share permanently, hence the importance of developing development a world class infrastructure with a binational and regional scope.

• The support and involvement of the United States Congress has and will continue to be a key element for the success of these efforts. Coordinated work between the Legislative and Executive Branches of both countries is critical to achieve our goals.