SAN DIEGO (
Border Report
— Approximately two years ago, a major achievement occurred with the completion of Highway 11, which serves as an essential connection between a proposed border crossing and San Diego’s vast system of roads.
Nevertheless, the construction of the Otay Mesa II border crossing has not commenced and is currently over two years delayed, resulting in considerable hold-ups and hassle.
Financial problems, accords with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with design defects, have been cited as reasons for the holdups.
A revised setup has rendered part of Highway 11 unnecessary, with teams currently removing a section measuring a quarter-mile long from the 225-foot-wide road.
One can observe trucks weaving through the area as they transport and dispose of debris.
Caltrans, the California Department of Transportation, is facing challenges in calculating 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 initiative could be as high as $10 million or more, varying based on factors like the depth of the concrete and the quantity of reinforcement bars utilized.
The cost to demolish the road is approximately $4 million, which is included in a $13 million contract granted by Caltrans to a construction firm handling excavation at the location.
The California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, hasn’t shared specifics about the scope of the project. However, they have indicated that the teardown is an essential measure “needed 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 begin with groundbreaking activities in the autumn of this year.
As per the plans, the new crossing, designed as a toll facility for traffic moving in both directions, will be operational by the close of 2027.
It was meant to be completed last year.
The Mexican government completed its portion on schedule and has since been awaiting the completion of the project by the U.S.
Currently, the precise expense of the leftover tasks, notably 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 transform debris into sand-like particles. These granules will then be utilized to elevate areas of land or fill depressions, ensuring a flat foundation for future construction.
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