MEXICO U.S. BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE Sean Carlos Cázares Ahearne Deputy Director General for Border Affairs Mexico s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) Future of North American Infrastructure North American Summit & National Conference October 22, 2011 1
INTRODUCTION Mexico carries out decisive actions to increase its competitiveness, looking to successfully engage the challenges imposed by the international conditions. Our geographical proximity is the only advantage that we permanently share; hence the development of a world class infrastructure with a binational scope highways, railways, land ports and seaports is essential to enable timely and efficient supply to producers and consumers. However, the increasing saturation of our common border represents a challenge we must overcome through the modernization and expansion of the existing infrastructure and the construction of modern ones with an intensive use of technology. If the current capacity of ports of entry (POE s) were not increased and the projected demand would continue to grow, 85% of the POE s would reach complete saturation by 2014. In this regard, proper US and Mexico agencies work closely to develop coordinated plans and actions to increase the capacity of our border crossings and roads to efficiently address traffic flows. 2
CARGO FLOWS DISTRIBUTION BY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION Load distribution by mode of transport Highway Railroad Sea Scale 3
BORDER CROSSING HIGHLIGHTS Since the signing of NAFTA, trade exchange between Mexico and the United States has grown exponentially and today it accounts for nearly 400 billion USD. The efficient and secure movement of passengers and freight between Mexico and the United States is fundamental for the development of both nations: Mexico is the 3rd most important source of imports for the U.S. (12% / $230 billion USD) Mexico is the 2nd most important destination of U.S. exports (12.8% / $164 billion USD). Approximately 70% of the value of that trade exchange is done by truck and 8.4% by rail, meanwhile only 16.4% is done by ship and the remaining 3.9% by other means of transportation. 98% of the trans-border passenger movement is done by land. 4
BORDER CROSSING HIGHLIGHTS In 2010, nearly 170 million passengers, 4.8 million trucks and close to 64 million passenger vehicles crossed the border from Mexico to the US through 54 border crossings. Trade between Mexico and the U.S. has grown exponentially, but our border facilities have not grown accordingly. 5
BORDER FLOWS BETWEEN MEXICO UNITED STATES In 2010, nearly 170 million passengers, 4.8 million trucks and close to 64 million vehicles crossed the border from Mexico to the US. 6
Projected truck flows for 2020 (Total number of trucks per year) 7
US Mexico Border Infrastructure Recent Achievements In recent years, Mexico and the United States have reached remarkable levels of understanding and coordination on the development of border infrastructure, hence strengthening North America s competitiveness. Our governments agree on the importance of the border as a region of opportunity and bi-national cooperation. We carry out efforts in order to strengthen security and encourage commercial trade. The development of new infrastructure at the US-Mexico border suffered a historical impasse. However, in 2007 we achieved the simultaneous construction of three new ports of entry for the first time in history: Reynosa McAllen Anzaldúas (Tamaulipas-Texas) *Inaugurated January 2010. San Luis Río Colorado San Luis II, (Sonora-Arizona) *Inaugurated November 2010. Río Bravo Donna (Tamaulipas Texas). *Inaugurated December 2010. 8
STRATEGIC GOALS MODERNIZATION OF THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE Reconfiguration and expansion of the facilities to its maximum capacity. Implementation of technology (SENTRI, FAST, SIAVE). BUILDING NEW INFRASTRUCTURE New international bridges and border crossings. Construction of bypasses and road accesses. INTERMODAL INTEGRATION Creation of intermodal facilities. Construction of Rail bridges and bypasses. Implementation of massive passenger transport systems and BRT s in the border cities. 9
MAIN FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION NETWORK IN MEXICO 10
MAIN HIGHWAY PROJECTS 2007-2012 11
NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (NIP) 12
US Mexico Border Infrastructure Projects Tijuana San Ysidro Expansion Project Busiest border crossing in the world. Every day, it serves over 50,000 northbound vehicles and 25,000 northbound pedestrians. This POE is undergoing a major expansion and modernization in both sides of the border to increase its efficiency and reduce wait times. Mexico could begin operations of the new facilities at the end of 2012. Agencies from both countries carry out regular technical meetings to ensure proper and permanent coordination regarding this project. 13
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US Mexico Border Infrastructure Projects Tijuana Airport San Diego Cross Border Facility New border crossing that will enable ticketed airline passengers to travel between Tijuana International Airport and San Diego, through an enclosed, elevated pedestrian bridge. It will provide a direct, fast an secure alternative to and from Tijuana Airport. It will help to reduce border wait times and traffic congestion. Its construction is planned to begin in November 2011. 15
US Mexico Border Infrastructure Projects Nogales III Mariposa It is the main border crossing of fresh produce from Mexico to the US (40% of US import of fresh produce during winter). Major reconfiguration and expansion binational project that includes a complete renovation of US facilities and lane additions in Mexico. Mexico just started construction and will be ready to open new lanes at the end of November. Guadalupe Tornillo New bridge for passenger/commercial traffic and pedestrians just outside the major urban area of Ciudad Juárez-El Paso. USA started construction on July 2011 and will finish on April 2013. Mexico will start construction next December and finish on April 2013. 16
US Mexico Border Infrastructure Projects Matamoros Brownsville West Rail Bypass and Bridge First railway crossing built in the Mexico-USA border in over a century. USA started construction on December 2010 and Mexico on May 2011. Construction will end on both countries during the 3 rd trimester of 2012. Ongoing construction work for the new Matamoros Brownsville West Rail Bridge 17
Twenty-first Century Border Management 18
21st Century Border Management Mexico and the United States have a shared interest in creating a border that promotes economic competitiveness for the whole of North America, enhancing regional security through safe, efficient, rapid, and lawful movement of goods and people. President Obama and President Calderón have recognized the potential value of a collaborative administration of their common border through the Declaration by The Government of The United States Of America and The Government of Mexico Concerning Twenty-First Century Border Management on May, 2010. 19
21st Century Border Management Both Governments carry out coordinated efforts to strenghten cooperation by: Enhancing economic competitiveness by expediting lawful trade, while preventing the transit of illegal merchandise. Facilitating lawful travel and enhancing secure flows of goods and people. Disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal organizations and punishing their members and supporters, and Making the communities in border states partners in efforts to protect public safety by integrating law enforcement efforts with social assistance, community outreach, and responsiveness to citizen concerns. 20
21st Century Border Management Both governments agreed and established a binational framework and structure to work on the implementation of a Bilateral Action Plan which comprises the main initiatives regarding the modernization of our common border. Throughout this year, agencies from both countries have held five bilateral meetings. Internal coordination and work between the Federal agencies in both countries is continuous. 21
21st Century Border Management Action items in the Bilateral Action Plan include: Improvement of bi-national coordination in planning, financing, permitting, designing, building, and operating ports of entry. Use of shared programs, enhanced information sharing, improved technology, and other risk management strategies. Creation of protocols to ensure full binational coordination before, during, and after emergency shutdowns. 22
21st Century Border Management Test concepts for pre-clearance, pre-screening, and preinspection of people, goods, and products. Reduce congestion and delays in cross-border traffic entering both Mexico and the United States. Enhance law enforcement cooperation including the collection, analysis, and sharing of information. Implement coordinated binational stakeholder interaction mechanisms. 23
21st Century Border Management Action items regarding infrastructure and transportation Actions Subject 3 Border Master Planning processes along the border 6 Construction or expansion of Ports of Entry 3 Expansion of secure and efficient trusted traveler and trusted shipper programs (Global Entry, SENTRI and FAST). 3 Reducing border wait times and improving Intelligent Transportation Systems at the border.
21st Century Border Management As of today, nearly 30% of the action items have been completed. Ongoing work and current progress on the remaining action items will allow us to complete nearly 60% of the Action Plan by next December.
Final Remarks Accomplishing a comprehensive modernization of the border is the stepping-stone for the enhancement of North America s regional competitiveness. Our ultimate goal is to secure flows of goods and people between our countries while expediting legitimate commerce and travel and reducing the duration and variability of wait times. Our geographical proximity is the only advantage that we share permanently, hence the importance of developing development a world class infrastructure with a binational and regional scope. The support and involvement of the United States Congress has and will continue to be a key element for the success of these efforts. Coordinated work between the Legislative and Executive Branches of both countries is critical to achieve our goals.