Otay Mesa East Port of Entry Among the First in the Nation to Receive Federal Grant Approval

04.16.2025 | News Release

Otay Mesa East Port of Entry Among the First in the Nation to Receive Federal Grant Approval

SANDAG and Caltrans Sign $150 million Federal Grant Agreement

SANDAG, Caltrans, and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have officially completed an agreement obligating $150 million in Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant funding for construction of the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry project. On Tuesday, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the finalization of the agreement. The project is one of the first in the nation to formalize a grant agreement under the new administration. The necessary signatures for grant execution were recently signed by the FHWA. The grant was originally awarded in 2022.

The initial funding allocation includes $36 million for the project's technology package. The remaining funds will be used for the construction of the Otay Mesa East port of entry and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement facilities, which are expected to break ground this fall.

This builds on efforts Governor Gavin Newsom announced in December to initiate construction that will help facilitate the port of entry project.

"I want to thank the U.S. Department of Transportation's leadership and staff for their close collaboration in reaching this essential agreement" said Secretary Toks Omishakin of California's State Transportation Agency. "Under Governor Newsom, California has led the way in developing cross border infrastructure and partnerships to improve lives, communities, and economic prosperity."

Governor Newsom visited the project site late last year, reaffirming California's commitment to the project while engaging with the White House and Department of Homeland Security.

Support from the San Diego congressional delegation, including U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, and Congressman Juan Vargas, has been crucial in moving the project forward.

"As a longtime champion of this project, I am glad to see all parties come together to finalize this critical agreement to create a new port of entry facility for the Otay Mesa border region," said Senator Padilla. "The new Otay Mesa East Port of Entry will enhance regional mobility, promote economic growth, and facilitate binational trade. I commend the teams at SANDAG, Caltrans, GSA, and CBP who met weekly for nearly three years to accomplish this complex and innovative agreement, and I look forward to seeing the $150 million in INFRA funding I helped secure implemented to construct this state-of-the-art facility."

With state-of-the-art technology, the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry will provide a new access point for personal and commercial vehicles between California and Baja California. The new port of entry will include innovative technology elements, including variable tolling. The project will strengthen border security, enhance regional mobility, fuel economic growth, shorten border wait times, and bolster binational trade.

"The execution of this historic agreement is a pivotal step towards delivering an innovative new border crossing to reduce wait times, strengthen border security, and bolster binational trade," said SANDAG Chair and Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner. "We are immensely grateful for the support from our federal, state, and local champions. The success of the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry project is a true testament to the strong partnerships throughout the San Diego region, on both sides of the border."

SANDAG and Caltrans started site preparations in August 2022 and are currently collaborating with federal partners on the project's final design. Once construction of the port of entry facility is underway, a phased-opening approach will be considered with the goal of opening the facility in late 2027.

For more information, visit the State Route 11 (SR 11)/Otay Mesa East Port of Entry.