As part of the objectives of the U.S.-Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) and the 21st Century Border Management initiatives, it was agreed that the expansion, modernization and rehabilitation of existing land ports of entry, as well as construction of new infrastructure along the border of the two countries, should be a high priority. In this context, the U.S. and Mexican Governments and the North American Development Bank (NADB) Board of Directors requested that NADB “take all actions necessary to carry out a study to assist the United States and Mexican governments in mapping port-of-entry (POE) infrastructure projects and identifying potential financing structures for those projects.”[1]
A border crossing is specialized infrastructure with personnel, facilities, equipment and specific procedures to control the flow of pedestrians, vehicles and goods between two countries.[2] Access could be by foot, road, rail or some combination thereof. The infrastructure is designed to control migratory flows, both vehicular and commercial, based on demand. Such facilities are considered strategic because they concentrate various agencies responsible for the enforcement of federal laws relating to the movement of merchandise, people, plants and animals at the border. Frequently, border crossings are associated with cities on both sides of the border, and there may be more than one linking two cities.