By admin 
SAN LUIS, AZ (AZFamily) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is urging travelers to plan ahead and prepare for potential delays if they are crossing the southern border, as a new phase of construction begins at the San Luis Port of Entry.
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The slowdown is tied to a major modernization project at the port, with work scheduled to expand to both sides of the border — in the United States and Mexico — starting Friday.
The General Services Administration says the San Luis Port of Entry sees about 3 million drivers and roughly 2.5 million pedestrians cross each year.
The project is aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing wait times, but some nearby business owners say construction that began earlier this year has already cut foot traffic and customers.
New phase starts Friday
CBP says the next phase of the $356 million construction project will begin Friday. Earlier work focused on the U.S. side, but this phase will involve construction on both sides of the border.
CBP is advising travelers to expect delays and to give themselves extra time when heading into the United States.
Travelers brace for longer waits in summer heat
Eliazar Ramirez, a resident of San Luis Río Colorado, Mexico, crosses into the U.S. through the San Luis Port of Entry twice a week. He said the construction could ultimately make crossings faster and more efficient, but he worries about the timing.
“For me, in order to cross, I would have to come earlier,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez said waiting in long lines during extreme summer temperatures can be especially difficult.
“Right now, with this heat waiting in the car, waiting for a long time, is not OK,” he said.
He added that construction should have been scheduled for later in the year.
“They should have waited and started construction after the summer,” Ramirez said.
What the project includes
The modernization project will replace the port’s original 1984 facility with new inspection buildings and infrastructure. Plans include expanding vehicle lanes from eight to 16 to improve traffic flow and efficiency.
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The project also calls for additional processing booths and a new pedestrian inspection building—upgrades intended to reduce the time it takes to walk across the border.
Officials say the work also includes technology upgrades designed to help CBP identify high-risk activity and combat drug trafficking.
Businesses worry about impact
While the project is designed to improve crossings in the long term, some businesses near the port say construction has already hurt their bottom line.
Rafael Felix, who works at The Bin Store across the street from the port, said the area has felt noticeably quieter since construction started earlier this year.
“It’s not organized. It’s affecting our businesses, workers and people,” Felix said.
Felix said the impacts aren’t limited to one storefront.
“It’s not only affecting this business, but it’s also affecting all the businesses here. The traffic here is dead, and people are not coming to this side of town. It affects us a lot,” he said.
Despite the frustration, Felix said he hopes the project ultimately makes the crossing faster and safer on both sides of the border.
The project is expected to be completed by spring 2029.
CBP is encouraging travelers to check border wait times before leaving home, using the agency’s website or mobile app.
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