PHARR, Texas — In a significant step towards enhancing trade and border efficiency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the City of Pharr have announced the completion of a small-scale infrastructure improvement project at the Pharr Land Port of Entry (LPOE). The project, realized through CBP’s Donations Acceptance Program, saw the addition of two new inbound commercial lanes and two new exit commercial inspection booths, fully equipped with the latest infrastructure and technology.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including federal, state, and local officials, as well as international trade representatives. Diane Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBP’s Office of Field Operations, highlighted the project’s significance, stating, “The completion of the donated project construction at the Pharr LPOE underscores another effective partnership with federal and local entities to enhance CBP’s mission. The benefits of the additional infrastructure will improve processing through the port of entry, thus enriching the economic competitiveness of the community.”
GSA Regional Administrator Jason Shelton expressed excitement about reaching this milestone, emphasizing the long-term collaborative efforts that led to the project’s fruition. “DAP projects require many years of hard work, and today we are joyful and eager to continue delivering results that positively impact our stakeholders,” Shelton said.
The project, which began with a formal proposal from the City of Pharr in 2015, culminated in a Donation Acceptance Agreement (DAA) signed in April 2019. The new infrastructure aims to expedite the inspection and processing of imports, particularly benefiting the increasing volume of goods transported from Mexico.
Carlos Rodriguez, Port Director for the Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas, noted the positive impact of the improvements, stating, “As imports from Mexico continue to increase, having these additional spaces and improvements will significantly enhance our ability to expedite shipments into U.S. commerce.”
Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., praised the collaboration, saying, “Pharr was eager to partner with CBP and GSA through the DAP to expedite the construction of these new bridge projects. Flexible and innovative partnerships like these help produce tangible solutions to address critical needs, benefiting trade and increasing productivity and efficiency at our international port of entry.”
The newly completed lanes and booths are expected to increase throughput at the Pharr LPOE, facilitating more efficient inspections of semi-trailer and truck vehicles. The addition of two new exit booths will also streamline traffic flow to the upcoming Border Safety Inspection Facility (BSIF), set to be completed in the coming months.
This project, authorized under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, reflects a successful partnership between public and private sectors, showcasing the power of collaboration in addressing critical infrastructure needs at U.S. ports of entry.–News Desk