SAN DIEGO.- After four years of work and many delays, the first completed phase of the expansion of the San Ysidro Port Of Entry has been officially inaugurated. An official ribbon cutting ceremony took place yesterday to mark the occasion outside the new administrative building, where leaders from both sides of the border took part in the ceremony.

"The border is quickly becoming the primary advantage this region has," said San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer during a subsequent press conference.

Tijuana Mayor Jorge Astiazarán, added to the point made by his U.S. counter-part by stating that the modernization of this port of entry is of great importance "not just for Tijuana and San Diego, but for both countries, because these regions' growth have made the need for quality infrastructure more necessary, so that those that cross the border on a daily basis in both directions can have a better quality of life."

One out of every 13 people entering the U.S. do so via the San Ysidro port of Entry, according to the Port Director, Pete Flores, which is why it is of great importance that the improvements obtained with this expansion, and reduction in wait times from three hours to an average of 15 to 45 minutes. "Thanks to the community for their patience while we underwent this work."

The first phase includes twenty-five new northbound lanes, with a total of 46 booths (double-stacked in almost all lanes), which has noticeably reduced wait times for thousands of drivers every day since mid-September when the additional lanes were opened for the first time.

[img srcThumb="http://edgecast.sdr-files.buscafs.com/uploads/news/photos/news_photo_58619_1415657958_630.jpg" srcLink="http://edgecast.sdr-files.buscafs.com/uploads/news/photos/news_photo_58619_1415657958.jpg" size="medium"]Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA)

[p]San Diego Consular for Mexico, Remedios Gómez Arnau. Photo: @ConsulMexSdi[/img]

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Phases two and three are still underway, which includes the new pedestrian port of entry in East San Ysidro, and connection of the I-5 Freeway with the Chapparal port of entry into Mexico.

jose.sanchez@sandiegored.com