Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced funding received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) that will help modernize land ports of entry to help meet its border security mission, while encouraging a boost in national and local economies.
$720 million of the Recovery Act was dedicated by Congress to upgrade port facilities, some of which were built prior to World War II, to address today's national security and trade and travel facilitation needs.
“CBP along with our partners at GSA will use these funds to enhance technology and modernize infrastructure at land ports of entry to improve our capacity for facilitating growing trade and travel. Our mission requires facilities that meet modern demands,” said Acting Commissioner Jayson Ahern.
The program provides additional resources to the multi-year modernization strategy that includes a total of 43 CBP-owned land ports of entry, which are primarily along the northern border of the U.S.
Additionally, the Recovery Act also provides resources needed for CBP to continue deploying cutting edge imaging technologies that allow safe and efficient inspection of cargo and vehicles entering the U.S.
Beginning in 2004, CBP thoroughly assessed all land port facilities as part of a comprehensive effort to modernize critical components of the nation’s border infrastructure.
Modernization projects were determined according to an assessment of conditions at the facilities based on their capacity to meet CBP’s operational priorities and mission. CBP will target Recovery Act investments toward land port facilities struggling with the most urgent operational deficiencies.
Preceding land port construction, CBP and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct site surveys for planning and due diligence beginning in early April. Construction will range in scope from renovations and alterations to full facility replacement.
In addition to the $720 million funded for land ports of entry construction projects, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided CBP:
* $100 million for Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology
* $100 million for border technology on the southwest border
* $60 million for tactical communications equipment and radios
CBP will announce more details on Recovery Act projects for Non-Intrusive Inspection, border technology and tactical communications in the coming weeks.
To effectively implement Recovery Act construction projects, CBP created a national Program Management Office staffed with experts in various fields to ensure strong inter-agency coordination, ensure proper oversight and project management and to support regional teams delivering land port of entry modernization projects on schedule.
CBP will report Recovery Act project goals and milestones on www.Recovery.gov, the federal Web site established to ensure full transparency and help the nation’s citizens access information on the use and results of Recovery Act funding.
Of the $720 million funded for land ports of entry construction projects, $420 million is dedicated for improvements spanning from major construction to minor repairs and alterations at CBP’s 43 Land Ports of Entry, which are as follows:
Maine Bridgewater Easton Forest City Hamlin Monticello
Minnesota Ely Lancaster Pinecreek Roseau Warroad
Montana Del Bonita Morgan Opheim Scobey Whitetail Whitlash Wild Horse Willow Creek
New Hampshire Pittsburg
New Mexico Antelope Wells
New York Cannons Corner Churubusco
North Dakota Antler Carbury Fortuna Hannah Hansboro Maida Neche Noonan Northgate Sarles Sherwood Walhalla Westhope
Texas Amistad Dam Los Ebanos Falcon Dam
Washington Boundary Frontier Nighthawk
Vermont Morses Line Pinnacle Road
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17.
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.
Contacts For This News Release
Tara Dunlop CBP Public Affairs Phone: (202) 344-2497 Fax: (202) 344-1393