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Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we will construct a new port and modernize two existing ones in Arizona:
In 2019, the Castro LPOE processed about 26,000 trucks, 1.6 million cars, and 833,000 people, making Douglas one of Arizona’s and the region’s principal gateways for trade and tourism with Mexico.
The dedicated commercial port in Douglas will absorb commercial inspection operations from the Castro LPOE and support the transport of automotive, aerospace, farming, electrical, construction, medical, mining, and refined copper wiring goods and products.
As a non-commercial port, the San Luis I LPOE does not play a role in the movement of goods across the border. However, the port is vital to the food industry and related supply chains, as the key regional gateway for essential migrant field laborers. The agricultural sector in Yuma County supplies much of the winter produced consumed in the U.S., making the effective crossing of seasonal agricultural workers crucial to our food supply chain.
About 70% of the City of Douglas’ retail tax revenue comes from the millions of people who cross through the Castro LPOE annually and collectively spend about $740 million. Nearly 4,000 of them are Agua Prieta residents who cross the port on their commute to work in Douglas and patronize local restaurants, stores, gas stations, and other businesses.
The new planned commercial port in Douglas is spurring the development of a new industrial zone about 4.5 miles west of the Castro LPOE in Cochise County. GSA is working with local governments and planning agencies to develop a new utility corridor running along State Route 80 to the new Douglas LPOE. The corridor will feature the installation of new infrastructure to accommodate commercial vehicles and related commercial activities. The port project will also accelerate the expansion of broadband internet service to the port and the greater Douglas community.
Agriculture is a major economic driver for the City of San Luis’ economy, and is part of Yuma Country’s larger agricultural sector, which collectively grows melons, broccoli, and up to 90% of winter leafy greens U.S. consumers enjoy. San Luis is also a popular local shopping destination. Consumer retail purchases account for 80% of the city’s retail tax revenue, much of it coming from Mexican visitors who shop, and dine at local businesses.
The Castro LPOE is undersized and lacks the area necessary for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s commercial inspection mission. Because the primary booths are located immediately north of the international boundary, CBP does not have a pre-primary inspection area, limiting their ability to identify vehicles for additional inspection.
The new commercial port will have a dedicated pre-primary inspection area and lane segmentation to distribute flows into the U.S. between general, empty, and Free and Secure Trade or Trusted Traveler shipments.
The San Luis I modernization will replace building systems and provide the infrastructure for CBP to use all of its current inspection technology. The redesigned port improves pedestrian safety and simplifies the path to downtown San Luis, which may persuade more drivers to walk.
We’ve coordinated with the City of Douglas to collaboratively deliver utilities and attract a broadband internet service provider to their small, rural community. The federal project requires broadband support and will improve the Douglas community’s internet service. Industrial warehouses around the existing port can be redeveloped into active, vibrant uses and generate more economic activity downtown.
The local impact of the San Luis port, especially on the economic health and vitality of downtown San Luis is enormous. Current processing time causes traffic to back up for miles and effectively closes downtown during peak commuting hours. Redesigning the port improves local conditions on several levels, including:
U.S. General Services Administration