Federal and local officials say a massive redesign of the San Ysidro border crossing will reduce border wait times. They say construction will begin this summer. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the details.
The plans are still on the drawing board. But government officials say the remodel will add at least six more northbound lanes. Each will have two inspection booths to speed crossers through more quickly.
They say Mexico will at least double the number of southbound lanes.
San Diego officials held a press conference at the San Ysdiro border crossing to discuss the project.
Gary Gallegos directs SANDAG . He says wait times should not exceed 20 minutes for the region to capture all the economic benefit of the border.
Gallegos : That's what drives the economics here that says we're missing out on about $4.3 billion regionally.
Government officials estimate peak wait will not exceed 45 minutes once the new crossing is complete in 2012.
They say a third one in Otay Mesa would cut wait times further.
They expect the president to issue a permit for that in May.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
