U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the General Services Administration (GSA), the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) have signed Donation Acceptance Agreements to move forward with the construction of a new border crossing at Otay Mesa East. The agreements formalize plans for a modern port of entry intended to improve security, efficiency, and economic activity in the San Diego-Baja California region.
Sidney Aki, Director of Field Operations for CBP San Diego, stated, “We are grateful to our federal, state, and regional partners for their continued commitment to making the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry a reality. This project represents a long-anticipated investment in our border community that will strengthen security, improve efficiency, and support the economic livelihood of the San Diego region.”
The initiative involves Caltrans and SANDAG constructing and donating the new port facility under GSA and CBP’s Donations Acceptance Program. The overall project is valued at $1.3 billion, with this specific joint venture accounting for $535 million. The goal is to enhance border security while also improving transportation flow and supporting binational trade between Mexico and the United States.
Amanda Sweeney, Acting Commissioner of GSA’s Public Buildings Service in the Pacific Rim Region said, “This agreement will strengthen our southern border while allowing for faster, safer trade. GSA is proud to work together with Caltrans, SANDAG and Customs and Border Protection on this innovative solution to deliver a new port of entry to the San Diego region with significant cost savings to American taxpayers.”
A Federal Project Agreement was established in January 2025 outlining general terms among all parties involved. The subsequent Donation Acceptance Agreements now allow construction activities on site to begin.
Lesa Heebner, SANDAG Chair and Solana Beach Mayor commented: “The donation agreements with GSA and CBP are a significant milestone that represent our shared commitment to begin construction of the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry. SANDAG is proud to be part of a binational effort rooted in binational collaboration. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to deliver an innovative new land port of entry that will strengthen border security, bolster binational trade, fuel economic growth, and reduce wait times on both sides of the border.”
California State Transportation Agency Secretary Toks Omishakin added: “The finalization of this agreement allows us to move to the final phase on this critical project, which is the construction of the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry facility. This state-of-the-art facility has the potential to significantly improve the lawful movement of goods while reducing congestion and wait times for businesses and workers at this new port of entry."
CBP and GSA have authority under federal law to accept donations from private sector or government sources including real property or monetary contributions as well as non-personal services; these resources can be used toward building or maintaining ports-of-entry across U.S borders.
Public-private partnerships play an important role in CBP’s Resource Optimization Strategy by enabling expanded services or infrastructure at domestic ports-of-entry through collaborations such as these agreements.
More information about donation acceptance programs can be found at www.cbp.gov/DAP.
