U.S. General Services Administration
GSA to start concrete paving project at Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Project will better support port operations, increase sustainability, and enhance the driving experience for travelers
SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the start of a concrete paving project at the Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry, set to begin on Thursday, August 24, at 9 a.m.
The asphalt currently covering the port vehicle queueing area suffers from cracks, potholes and erosion from the thousands of vehicles crossing daily. The $1.85 million project, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), would address those deficiencies. By using GSA’s low-embodied-carbon concrete standard, issued March 2022, which when compared to the existing asphalt paving is more resilient to damage and erosion, the site will require less maintenance and roadway replacement. Building materials such as concrete are a large contributor of greenhouse gas emissions. Using low-embodied concrete reduces those emissions while providing for a better traveler experience.
The concrete paving work will be conducted in seven phases over six months, with two to three northbound non-commercial vehicle lanes being closed continuously for about a month to allow the concrete to cure completely before moving onto the next set of lanes. During most of the project, a maximum of two northbound lanes and their companion inspection booths will be closed, leaving at least 11 lanes and booths available for operations. The schedule for the construction phases are:
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Phase 1 - Lanes 11 to 13 will be closed August 24 to September 24, 2023
- Phase 2 - Lanes 9 and 10 will be closed September 25 to October 11, 2023
- Phase 3 - Lanes 7 and 8 will be closed October 16 to October 30, 2023
- Phase 4 - Lanes 5 and 6 will be closed November 1 to November 20, 2023
- Phase 5 - Lanes 3 and 4 will be closed November 28 to December 20, 2023
- Phase 6 - Lanes 1 and 2 will be closed February 26 to March 22, 2024
- Phase 7 - Temporary rolling lane closures March 22 to April 5, 2024
“This project goes beyond improving the traveling experience for the thousands of drivers who cross through the Otay Mesa port of entry. It underscores GSA’s commitment to sustainability, reducing the agency’s carbon footprint, and incorporating recycled and sustainably sourced building materials,” explained Dan Brown, Regional Commissioner for the GSA Public Buildings Service in the Pacific Rim Region. “BIL funds not only make the project possible but it will deliver an improved transportation infrastructure that will last longer, better protect the environment, and enhance the federal government’s mission at this port.”
GSA is responsible for constructing and maintaining LPOEs along the nation’s borders in partnership with and in support of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's - Customs and Border Protection and other federal inspection agencies. Through the BIL, GSA is modernizing LPOEs along the Canadian and Mexican borders. These upgrades will strengthen supply chains, create good-paying jobs, enhance safety and security, and provide sustainable solutions to keep these ports operating efficiently and effectively for years to come.
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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing about $87 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.
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