Tucson, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials today announced the completion of construction replacing an estimated 6.1 miles of outdated primary pedestrian fencing along the U.S-Mexico border adjacent to the city of Douglas.

The project began in early October as part of CBP’s ongoing effort to strengthen the security of Arizona’s border with Mexico by replacing “landing mat” style fencing, originally constructed in the early 1990s, with an 18-foot bollard style fence on both sides of the Douglas port of entry. The new fence establishes better levels of persistent impedance by raising the overall height and providing a deeper, more robust below-grade foundation in areas susceptible to erosion — making it significantly more difficult to breach.

“This new fencing will greatly hinder transnational criminal organizations from attempting to commit their criminal acts and allow our agents to see threats more easily, thus keeping our communities safer for our friends and families,” said Tucson Sector Border Patrol Chief Richard A. Barlow.

Of the 262 linear miles of border Tucson Sector is responsible for securing, approximately 210 miles have some type of pedestrian and vehicle fencing.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.