Institute
for Regional Studies of the CaliforniasInstitute
for Regional Studies of the CaliforniasThe San Ysidro-Puerta México Port of Entry is the principal gateway between San Diego and Tijuana. In fiscal year 1999 (October 1, 1998 to September 30, 1999), 107,193 buses, 15 million passenger vehicles, and 41.4 million persons crossed from south to north at this port of entry. Northbound border crossing traffic is processed through 24 primary inspection gates and a large secondary inspection area. Traffic entering Mexico is served by nine gates and a secondary inspection area that can accommodate approximately 40 vehicles.
Because of the congestion and related difficulties in the flow of vehicles and pedestrians at the San Ysidro-Puerta México Port of Entry, San Diego and Tijuana have been exploring ways to develop an integrated solution to the problems. The City of San Diego and the U.S. General Services Administration have been studying options for the old commercial crossing at Virginia Avenue, immediately to the west of the present port of entry and adjacent to El Chaparral in Tijuana. Mexico's National Commission for the Appraisal of Goods and the Economic Development Council of Tijuana have prepared studies for the redevelopment of this area. Private developers have also advanced proposals.
Map 15 shows the vicinity of one of the busiest international land border crossings in the world. The San Ysidro-Puerta México Port of Entry is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for passenger vehicle, bus, and pedestrian traffic. It currently handles more traffic than it can effectively process. Vehicular congestion is severe and long delays are a common occurrence. It is estimated that by 2020, traffic at this port of entry will be significantly greater than today. To address current deficiencies and future needs, a concerted planning program is being undertaken by all levels of government in the United States and Mexico.
The area surrounding the San Ysidro-Puerta México Port of Entry is generally flat. Steep slope areas do exist east of I-5 beginning at the railroad tracks. The steep slopes are occupied by Colonia Libertad in Tijuana and are undeveloped in San Diego. West of I-5, in the immediate vicinity of Virginia Avenue, there is an artificial topographic feature in the form of the Tijuana River Levee. The levee varies in height between approximately 10 and 15 feet (3 and 5 meters), and provides security from flooding, enabling housing development. Existing land uses in San Ysidro adjacent to the international boundary consist mostly of vacant and large parking lots. Developed land includes a factory outlet center, commercial facilities, multifamily residential units, an elementary school, a park, a trolley station, and federal government inspection facilities.
The vacant and underutilized land on the United States side contrasts dramatically with the dense urban developments along the international boundary in Tijuana in this section of the International Border Planning Area. Existing land uses in Tijuana consist primarily of commercial, residential, services, and public uses. More specifically, the El Chaparral truck port of entry (currently closed) is used as a yard for storage of impounded vehicles. The residential area adjacent to the border, referred to as Colonia Empleados Federales, is one of the oldest of Tijuana. It is comprised of eight blocks of small, generally older, single family, duplex, and multifamily residential units. Also included in this colonia are a number of businesses such as customs brokers, offices for attorneys, and insurance companies. Plaza Viva Tijuana is located adjacent to this colonia and is a relatively new retail commercial center that caters to the pedestrian traffic en route to the tourist district along Avenida Revolución. There is also a taxi, bus, parking, and vendor area, a medical and office complex, and an undeveloped area currently used for parking and sports fields.
The physical design of the adjacent areas of Tijuana is not well integrated into the physical context of the border crossing. The routing and flow of vehicular traffic is confusing on both sides of the international boundary, as is apparent to visitors to the region. Tijuana's traffic volumes exceed road capacity and the situation is compounded by pressures for commercial development on land designated for road improvements and other public uses.
Pedestrian routes are indirect, forcing people to cross lines of vehicles approaching the port of entry. The signage does not give adequate direction to transit users. In addition, amenities and basic services such as restrooms, telephones, lighting, and information kiosks to serve border users are scarce or nonexistent. The negative visual image of the area is further affected by noise, pollution, serious maintenance problems (trash, graffiti), border-related crime, and unacceptable behavior in the public streets and spaces. The visual elements do not convey in a positive way that this is a major gateway between two countries.
In recognition of this reality, efforts are under way in both countries to resolve border-related issues through enhanced binational communication and coordination in planning the future of the area. Proposed major projects for the San Ysidro-Puerta México Port of Entry include reconfigured multimodal transportation terminals on both sides of the border, a light train system in Tijuana that would provide convenient connection to the San Diego Trolley, and various street improvements (curbs, ramps) that would result in better and safer access for pedestrians.
The U.S. and the Mexican federal governments are studying options for providing additional vehicular lanes crossing the border in the vicinity of the San Ysidro Port of Entry. The federal, state, and local governments of the United States and Mexico, as well as private business and civic organizations are evaluating options to increase capacity at this port of entry. These proposals are not all coordinated with each other, nor do they all include participation of all stakeholders on both sides of the border.
One option that involves the U.S. federal government and the General Services Administration proposes the reuse of the Virginia Avenue-El Chaparral gate located about 1,000 feet (305 meters), or two blocks, west of the San Ysidro border crossing. The Virginia Avenue-El Chaparral gate was the commercial truck crossing between San Diego and Tijuana until the new gate opened at Otay Mesa in January 1985. Another option proposes a border crossing expansion closer to the existing port of entry. The proposed International Gateway of the Americas redevelopment project by a private developer seeks to redefine the "border experience" by developing a variety of commercial uses including a new pedestrian toll bridge linking San Ysidro development with Tijuana's commercial center on Avenida Revolución. This International Gateway of the Americas would be coordinated with future plans for the area across the border known as El Chaparral, and with U.S. federal proposals to realign southbound Interstate 5.
There are also specific projects proposed for redevelopment of the area adjacent to the San Ysidro-Puerta México Port of Entry in Tijuana. One has been put forward by the Tijuana Economic Development Council and another by the National Commission for Appraisal of Goods.
 Photo |
| Aerial view of San Ysidro border crossing with Tijuana River Valley and part of urban Tijuana in background. Note the long lines of vehicles waiting to cross into San Diego on Monday, May 31, 1954, following the U.S. Memorial Day holiday week-end. San Diego Historical Society, Union-Tribune Collection. |
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