Demolition Begins on Border Highway Leading to New Port of Entry

SAN DIEGO (
Border Report
) — About two years ago, a significant milestone was achieved with the construction of Highway 11, a crucial link connecting a planned port of entry to San Diego’s extensive roadway network.

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However, the Otay Mesa II border crossing has yet to be built and is now more than two years behind schedule causing significant delays and inconvenience.

Money issues, agreements with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and design flaws have been blamed for delays.

A revised setup has rendered part of Highway 11 unnecessary, with teams dismantling a section measuring a quarter-mile long from the 225-foot-wide road.

One can observe trucks weaving through as they transport and offload debris.

Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation, is struggling with figuring out the initial expense of that section of road when it was constructed.

As stated by a contractor speaking with Border Report, the price tag for this endeavor could reach upwards of $10 million, varying based on factors like the depth of the concrete work and the quantity of steel reinforcement bars employed.

The cost to demolish the road is approximately $4 million, which is part of a $13 million contract granted by Caltrans to a contractor handling excavation work at the location.

The California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, hasn’t shared specifics about the scope of the project. However, they have mentioned that this demolition is essential “to pave the way for constructing the facility once the building process begins.”

As stated by the San Diego Association of Governments, known as SANDAG—which is responsible for overseeing the construction at the border crossing—the project is scheduled to commence with groundbreaking activities in the autumn of this year.

As per the schedule, the fresh crossing, designed as a pay facility for traffic moving in both directions, will be operational by late 2027.

It was meant to be completed last year.

The Mexican government completed their portion of the work on schedule and has since been awaiting the completion of the project by the U.S.

Currently, the precise expense of the leftover tasks, especially the fresh concrete needed for the road surface, remains unclear.

An employee working for RJ Willert, the subcontractor handling the demolition, mentioned that they’re cutting costs by using a grinder to turn debris into sand-like particles. These granules will then be utilized to elevate the terrain or fill depressions, thereby creating an even foundation for construction.

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