SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — When the San Ysidro Port of Entry was remodeled nine years ago, a few of the southbound lanes were left in place even after the new traffic pattern into Tijuana was introduced.
Almost a decade later, with commuters facing two to three-hour waits nightly to cross into Mexico, there has been calls to reopen the old traffic lanes, which are also known as Puerta Mexico, or Mexico’s door.
One of the proponents is Baja California’s Secretary of Economy and Innovation, Kurt Honold Morales.
But he says the city is “blocking” the idea.
“We turned over the plan to the city after it urgently asked for it; we’re still waiting for them to authorize it so we can begin,” said Honold Morales.
He says opening the extra lanes would help 87,000 people who live in Tijuana and cross the border daily to work in the United States.
“This is something that’s needed, and we need to do it.”
Since November, when the Mexican government decided to remodel southbound traffic lanes adding new face-recognition technology, long traffic delays have become a nightly occurrence.
The work was supposed to end last week, allowing all lanes of traffic to be open and improving flow.
But the work is still stalled, and some lanes remain closed.
Honold Morales says he hopes the issue gets resolved soon and the city greenlights the project.
“Everyone wants it, especially the ones who live here, but work there,” he said.
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