CBP announces construction of new Newton-Azrak vehicle maintenance facility

MURRIETA, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosted a press conference Friday, Sept. 18, to announce the construction of a new vehicle maintenance facility at the Newton-Azrak Station.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act funds the $28.7 million project, which will provide secure, permanent infrastructure to improve fleet maintenance, overnight storage and secure parking for the station's vehicles. The new facility will replace an outdated, rented off-site commercial garage that the station has used since fiscal 1997.

"Among the most important tools our agents rely on every day are our vehicles," said San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Justin De La Torre. "A vehicle that is not ready cannot support an agent in the field. That is why fleet readiness is mission readiness."

Currently, the station's fleet maintenance operation services more than 92 vehicles, and mechanics service about five vehicles and one all-terrain vehicle each day. Because the current leased commercial garage is off-site and in disrepair, agents and mechanics must frequently transport vehicles away from the station. This logistical separation takes critical resources away from the active operational environment.

The new vehicle maintenance facility will bring collocated maintenance, a fueling station, a vehicle wash rack, a vehicle vacuum, an impound lot, overnight storage and secure parking onto a single site. Additionally, the project includes essential upgrades to the station's electrical grid and a reinforced emergency power system to ensure the continuity of operations during power outages.

"This new facility will provide our maintenance personnel with a purpose-built, on-site location that best supports their work and safety," De La Torre said. "We are not simply addressing an immediate maintenance need. We are creating permanent infrastructure that will serve the U.S. Border Patrol for decades to come."

CBP's Office of Facilities and Asset Management is planning and executing the project. CBP awarded a $23 million design-build contract to the Haskell Company, using an existing U.S. Coast Guard indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract. Utilizing this existing federal contract allowed CBP to move to the award stage faster than a new standalone procurement would have permitted.

The Newton-Azrak Station is named in honor of Border Patrol Inspectors Theodore L. Newton Jr. and George F. Azrak, who died in the line of duty in June 1967. The station's agents patrol the backroads and highways leading north from the border.

Thanks to the Trump Administration's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, this facility-along with other much needed improvements and added infrastructure-will ensure continued success in securing our borders. Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, CBP agents and officers along the southwest border are stopping dangerous criminals and illicit narcotics from entering our communities, ensuring Americans are safe for generations to come.

For imagery visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/NewtonAzrakStationVehicleMaintenanceFacility

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 70,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust.

• Topics
• Construction Projects
• U.S. Border Patrol