The General Services Administration (GSA) recently announced they would begin construction of a new commercial port of entry near Douglas, 4.5 miles from the historic Raul Hector Castro Port of Entry (POE). Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) praised the move in a recent statement, highlighting the significant benefits to the City of Douglas: "It will help improve connections, boost trade, strengthen ties between our nations and communities, and ensure the City of Douglas can thrive."
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021, included plans for this new port of entry, aiming to ease commercial vehicle inspection and allow passage of large equipment that normally cannot pass through the existing Castro POE.
Not only would this make cross-border trade and travel more efficient, streamlined, and faster, but it will also consider the environment, minimizing and avoiding the effects the new facility will have on the area.
"President Biden and Democrats in Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, securing funding for upgrading and modernizing the Raúl Castro Port of Entry. It will help improve connections, boost trade, strengthen ties between our nations and communities, and ensure the City of Douglas can thrive. I'm proud to have backed this legislation to fund this critical project and will keep supporting investments to ensure progress and prosperity for the border communities I represent," Rep. Grijalva said in his press release.
Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), a key figure in the introduction of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, emphasized her role in the expansion and modernization of the Raul Hector Castro Land Port of Entry. She stated, "I ensured my Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invested in the expansion and modernization of the Raul Hector Castro Land Port of Entry to create strong Arizona careers, improve cross-border trade, and boost our supply chain to lower costs and get goods to Arizona businesses and communities faster."
"Today's announcement is another important step forward for Arizona's border communities. The new commercial port in Douglas and the expansion of the Castro Land Port of Entry, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will grow Arizona's economy, create jobs, and support local communities while keeping our border secure," said Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
