Article courtesy of the Las Cruces Bulletin
By Samantha Roberts
As Las Cruces continues to grow, so do surrounding areas, including Santa Teresa, but with this growth comes many complications.
What began as an idea many years ago will turn into a reality with the groundbreaking of the expansion of the Santa Teresa Port of Entry (POE) Thursday, July 7. The event will be led by Juan “J.D.” Salinas, regional administrator for GSA’s Greater Southwest Region, and Ana Hinojosa, director of field operation in El Paso for the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency, as well as other dignitaries, such as New Mexico Secretary of Economic Development Jon Barela and Sen. Jeff Bingaman. Also on the guest list are more than 200 invitees.
“This event signifies a great moment for everyone that has put in the hard work to make this a reality,” said Jim Creek, executive director of the New Mexico Border Authority.
Santa Teresa serves as the closest port of entry for people traveling from Chihuahua, Mexico, and Jerónimo Port as well as Juárez International Airport to the U.S.
“There is just not enough room for everyone,” Creek said. “Especially in the last few months, traffic has actually decreased because people are getting so frustrated with the long wait times.” Creek said the Santa Teresa port’s popularity comes from the increased economic activity in Santa Teresa; a newly built road that connects the Jerónimo Port to southern New Mexico; the ease of access to El Paso shopping centers, such as The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso; and the increased violence in Juárez has deterred people from making the trek through the hostile city. With all the extra people, the current roads – two northbound non-commercial and commercial lanes and inspection booths; and two southbound non-commercial and commercial lanes and inspection booths – are not enough.
“For non-commercial ‘private’ vehicles, the wait time can be as long as three to four hours,” Creek said. “It is the longest of any port in El Paso or Doña Ana County.”
Luckily, Creek said he and a team have been able to find the funding. “Plans have always pointed at expanding the roads,” he said. “In early 2010, we met with federal, state and private officials to establish a committee and attempt to fix the problem. We were able to find federal money – stimulus funding or Homeland Security funding. It’s all federal money, just a different color.”
Since 1997, the number of annual northbound passenger vehicle crossings at the Santa Teresa POE has gone from less than 100,000 to more than 500,000 and is continuing to grow. In regard to these numbers, Creek said plans are also looking at future capacity for the port.
“We are definitely keeping our eyes on the future,” he said. “Economic development cannot grow without the capacity to expand.”
After construction begins – late July or early August – the anticipated completion time is about 14 months. Being added are two northbound non-commercial lanes and inspection booths, an expanded secondary inspection area for non-commercial vehicles, a pedestrian walkway and expanded inspection area, one additional commercial lane and inspection booth, a new southbound inspection facility and renovations to the current Main Port Administration Building.
“This will enable the trucks to flow smoother and will give us 50 percent or more truck capacity,” Creek said. “In 1998, there were no expectations of pedestrian traffic; however, in April, more than 15,000 people crossed the port, intermingled within cars. We really need the pedestrian crosswalk.”
Though things seem to be flowing smoothly, Creek said he expects to encounter staffing problems. “We are increasing the size of the administration building because we will have to increase the number of staff,” he said. “The infrastructure we will have, but getting the increased staff members is the hard part because they are needed all around ports. Since there has not been an increased budget for customs and border to hire additional workers, no one is able to financially support the increase.
“We will work with other states and congressional delegation to hammer out this issue. It is a common need right now.”
To learn more about the Santa Teresa POE, the public is invited to listen in on a monthly business meeting at 10 a.m. the last Thursday of the month at Santa Teresa Country Club, 75 Feather Moon Drive in Santa Teresa. The meeting is attended by U.S. and Mexican private and public sector officials, who discuss border issues.
