Officials in the San Diego area are praising legislation designed to ease congestion at the Otay Mesa border crossing.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation this week backing construction of a tollway and border crossing east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Federal approval is still needed.
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders says it means construction of the long-awaited crossing, along with a 2-mile toll road, could start within three years. Officials say the $800 million cost would be covered by toll fees.
The additional crossing is expected to ease travel and trade between the United States and Mexico. Northbound traffic can back up for 90 minutes or more at the existing San Ysidro crossing.
