TIJUANA – A big change begins Tuesday morning in the world's busiest land crossing. Border authorities plan to open a Ready Lane at the San Ysidro port of entry at 10 a.m. offering travelers a faster option to cross in the United States.

But any change can quickly back up traffic, causing an even greater headache for the tens of thousands who head north daily through San Ysidro.

Tijuana's municipal government planned to close the far right access to the border crossing two hours before the lane opens, at 8 a.m., to prepare for the change.

The Ready Lane, which is actually more than one lane depending on traffic, allows border crossers who have U.S. travel documents enabled "smart" technology to move faster to the inspection booths.

Waiting times to cross regularly stretch to two hours or more, particularly during peak times such as the holiday season.

To use the Ready Lane, travelers must have U.S. travel documents with RFID technology, such as the newer border crossing or legal residency cards, or the SENTRI card.

The Ready Lane program operates along the entire U.S.-Mexico border, including at the crossing at Otay Mesa, but the one in San Ysidro is the first one that will be open 24 hours a day.

The Ready Lane will utilize gates 8 to 11, on the right-hand side of the port of entry, beside the lanes dedicated for SENTRI card-holders. The only access to the Ready Lane will be from Vía Rápida Oriente and by avenida Padre Kino, in the Río zone.

Lane number 12 will continue to be used for those with a special card for medical tourism.

From 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, municipal police officers will be on hand to inform motorists about the new lane and how best to access it. They will work in coordination with agents of the U.S. Customs and Border Enforcement to reduce the number of travelers who incorrectly enter the lane, starting at 10 a.m.

David Navarro, who directs the city's Urban Development and Ecology Department, said Monday that a revolving "door" will be installed so motorists who mistakenly find themselves in the Ready Lane can move to a regular one.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents have been handing out fliers to explain how the Ready Lane will work. They explain that only passengers older than 16 years holding U.S. travel documents enabled with RFID technology may use the lane.

The flier explains how to use these documents in the Ready Lane:

1. Stop at the beginning of the lane and wait for the sign to proceed.

2. There will be a scanning device on the driver's side on the way to the booth. Hold the travel document in front of the sensor to be scanned. This allows the inspector to identify who is crossing rather than start that process once the vehicle arrives at the booth.

3. Stop at the booth for a review by the inspector.

Omar.millan@sandiegored.com

How Ready Lane works

A Ready Lane will open Tuesday at the San Ysidro border crossing and will be available 24 hours a day. Information about how the program works is available in English and Spanish.