Border Delays Cost San Diego/Tijuana Region Billions, Report Finds

Border crossing delays have cost the San Diego/Tijuana megaregion’s economy at least $3.4 billion and 88,000 jobs, as well as becoming a huge environmental concern, a report released Friday at the San Diego Association of Governments Borders Committee found.

The report, “Impacts of Border Delays at California — Baja California Land Ports of Entry,” looks at one year — 2016 — and details how delays harm the economy and environment on both sides of the border.

“Reducing border wait time and related emissions is crucial to the prosperity of communities on both sides of the border,” said Serge Dedina, SANDAG Borders Committee chair and Imperial Beach mayor. “This report demonstrates the tremendous positive impact a new, 21st century border crossing could have on the intertwined economy and environment of our binational region.”

The report was a collaboration between SANDAG, Caltrans, and the Imperial County Transportation Commission. Representatives from both sides of the border were in attendance during the report’s presentation.

The report shows that without additional enhancements to the region’s ports of entry, the estimated economic loss will continue to grow to more than $5 billion and more than 97,000 jobs lost by 2025. According to the report, these losses could be fully mitigated with additional enhancements, including the opening of the Otay Mesa East — Mesa de Otay II Port of Entry.