New Border Pedestrian Lane on Track to Open this Month

Construction on a new, technologically advanced border crossing for pedestrians began Sunday at the Otay Mesa port of entry.

The pedestrian Ready Lane, scheduled to open Feb. 23, is expected to make the border crossing safer and more efficient, according to a statement released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The new Ready Lane will be similar to the vehicle Ready Lanes that are already in place. Pedestrians will be able to scan pre-approved federal documents to expedite the inspection process.

The vehicle Ready Lanes have proven effective at increasing the number of people passing through each gate by 20 to 25 percent, according to the CBP’s
statement.

When travelers approach a kiosk, they will scan their document, allowing it to be read electronically before they approach the inspection booth. This allows the CBP officer to receive the traveler’s information in advance, allowing for faster processing while enhancing overall security, the statement reported.

Documents that may be used include the U.S. passport card, Trusted Traveler cards like the SENRI, FAST and Global Entry, and the newest versions of the legal permanent resident and laser visa/border crossing cards issued after 2008, according to the statement.

A similar pedestrian processing system is already in place and being tested in El Paso, Texas, at the Paso del Norte pedestrian crossing. The results from the El Paso and Otay Mesa instillation will help determine if the systems merit widespread and national usage.

Construction will be limited to overnight hours only to limit the impact on travelers.

-City News Service