In a move to enhance infrastructure and streamline the flow of commerce, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has teamed up with the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This collaboration will see a series of small-scale infrastructure improvements at the Los Indios Land Port of Entry (LPOE), located in the small town of Los Indios, Texas.
According to a news release disseminated by CBP, the initiative is part of CBP’s Donations Acceptance Program. The improvements from TxDOT will include new concrete pavement, canopies, booths, signage, fencing, and striping at the northeast corner of the LPOE. The main goal is to facilitate commercial traffic between Mexico and the United States, easing congestion at the border and shaving off wait times for vehicles crossing into Cameron County, Texas.
CBP’s Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner, Diane J. Sabatino, highlighted the significance of this partnership. "Through public-private partnerships, our investments in infrastructure improvements at the Los Indios LPOE not only streamline traffic flow and reduce border wait times but also enhance commerce, improve connectivity, and strengthen communities — transforming barriers into bridges of opportunity," Sabatino said, showcasing the broader impact expected from these enhancements.
The project also includes a collaboration with the State of Texas Border Safety Inspection Facility (BSIF), which will help trucks move more efficiently through mandatory inspections. By driving forward into the BSIF rather than reversing, vehicle throughput is anticipated to increase. Additionally, the new infrastructure will create an extra wide load lane, a booth, and a canopy to facilitate the discharge of vehicles from the LPOE, as per the details mentioned by CBP.
The CBP and GSA are authorized under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to accept donations in the form of real and personal property, as well as non-personal services. This capacity to accept contributions lends credit to a Resource Optimization Strategy that relies on public-private partnerships to deliver better services and infrastructure at ports of entry without solely depending on federal funding. For those interested in the Donations Acceptance Program and the implications of these partnerships, more information can be found on CBP's official website.
