U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the City of Pharr proudly announce the completion of an infrastructure enhancement project at the Pharr Land Port of Entry (LPOE). This project, part of CBP’s Donations Acceptance Program, added two new inbound commercial lanes and two exit commercial inspection booths, complete with the necessary infrastructure and technology enhancements.
The project, which spanned 25 months, was inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by federal, state, and local officials, as well as stakeholders from the international trade community.
Diane Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, highlighted the collaborative effort, noting, “This project not only enhances CBP’s operational capabilities but also boosts the economic competitiveness of the local community by improving throughput at the port.”
GSA Regional Administrator Jason Shelton expressed his enthusiasm about reaching this significant milestone, emphasizing the hard work over several years that has culminated in tangible benefits for stakeholders.
The proposal for these improvements was initiated by the City of Pharr in 2015, with the partnership formalized in April 2019 through a Donation Acceptance Agreement. This successful collaboration is expected to streamline operations and facilitate the faster processing of imports from Mexico, thereby integrating them more efficiently into U.S. commerce, according to Port Director Carlos Rodriguez.
The new lanes and booths are designed to enhance the port’s capacity for inspecting semi-trailers and trucks, with the two new exit booths directing traffic to the upcoming Border Safety Inspection Facility.
Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez remarked on the city’s proactive role in the partnership, highlighting the project’s role in fostering innovative solutions to meet critical infrastructure needs and enhancing trade efficiency at the international port of entry.
The project aligns with the legal frameworks set by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and related amendments, allowing CBP and GSA to accept donations for construction, operation, and maintenance of port facilities.
This initiative is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships under CBP’s Resource Optimization Strategy, aiming to enhance service and infrastructure at domestic ports of entry. For further details on the Donations Acceptance Program, please visit www.cbp.gov/DAP.