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-Editorial
At the Imperial Mexicali Binational Alliance meeting, David Aguirre, Executive Director of the Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC), delivered an update on the significant accomplishments made in the Calexico East Port of Entry Bridge Widening Project. The project aims to enhance traffic efficiency and reduce environmental impact at the USA-Mexico border.
The primary objective of the project is to expand the current Calexico East Port of Entry Bridge over the All-American Canal. This expansion will accommodate increased traffic flow, particularly through the U.S. federal primary inspection booths, thereby reducing delays and vehicle idling times while improving air quality emissions.
Key components of the project include widening the bridge on its east side to minimize traffic disruptions during construction, adding four additional vehicle lanes (two for commercial vehicles and two for passenger vehicles), shifting the existing northbound pedestrian walkway to the east to accommodate the new northbound passenger vehicle lanes, and implementing new concrete barriers along with minor adjustments to landscaping, drainage, signage, and lighting.
The project, estimated at a total cost of $32.5 million, secured significant financial support from various sources: $20 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant for design, construction, and construction management; $3 million from the California Transportation Commission’s Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) for project approval and environmental documentation; $7.5 million from TCEP Cycle 2 for design and construction; and $2 million from local funding via the Imperial County Local Transportation Authority’s “Measure D” half-cent sales tax.
The project’s timeline has reached several milestones: Stage 3, which focused on passenger vehicle lane improvements, was recently completed; Stage 4 concluded retrofit activities and roadway striping; and the project achieved substantial completion in May 2024, with final construction efforts currently underway.
Aguirre expressed optimism about the project’s impact on regional transportation and economic growth, emphasizing its role in bolstering cross-border trade and tourism. With substantial funding secured and critical milestones achieved, the Calexico East Port of Entry Bridge Widening Project signifies a collaborative effort to enhance infrastructure and sustainability in the Imperial Valley.
Energy Supply In Baja California
Humberto Luna, IMBA Vice-Chair, delivered a comprehensive presentation today on the conditions of the electrical system in Baja California, outlining both current capabilities and future developments.
Luna provided a detailed overview of the national electrical system, highlighting key components such as the 4,276 MW generation capacity for 2024, which includes contributions from CFE, private sectors, and imports from the USA (CAISO). He also discussed the Emergency Corrective Protocol 2024, which aims to add 914 MW for handling potential emergencies, and noted a system reserve of 747 MW to manage peak demands. Additionally, plans for 2025 include the development of new power plants, adding 1,675 MW, with notable projects like the Turbo Gas Gonzalez Ortega plant in Ejido Puebla, and others in San Luis R.C. and Ej. Cuernavaca.
Looking ahead, Luna emphasized upcoming projects, including solar photovoltaic energy initiatives in Puerto Peñasco. These projects, currently operational with future expansions planned, aim to achieve a total capacity of 1,003 MW by September 2026. Additionally, Luna discussed a newly operational 315-kilometer clean energy transmission line from Puerto Peñasco to Mexicali, which will bolster regional energy distribution capabilities.
The discussion also covered the establishment of the Energy Intelligence Center by CANACINTRA – UABC. This center will play a crucial role in providing essential data for technical decision-making, supporting energy efficiency initiatives, and sustainable electromobility efforts, and conducting financial analyses to enhance the region’s energy sector.