Atkinson/Clark Delivers Phase 1 of Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry Modernization Project

March 14, 2022

Atkinson/Clark Delivers Phase 1 of Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry Modernization Project

The modernization and expansion program at the Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry (OMLPOE) has achieved a significant milestone – the completion of Phase 1. Atkinson Construction, in a joint venture with Clark Construction Group, is leading construction efforts at the busiest commercial port of entry in California and the third busiest border crossing in the nation.

The massive undertaking involved the construction of five new facilities including the commercial annex building that will house the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) enrollment center and other Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations, the primary and exit inspection canopies, the hazmat inspection building with associated loading dock, and the USDA building. The project scope also included a parking structure for CBP officers and other tenants working at the port, a pedestrian bridge, 15 new inspection booths, the relocation of seven existing booths, and a new dedicated return-to-Mexico truck lane. 

Inspection booths

The completion of Phase 1 represents significant improvements to the border-crossing experience by nearly doubling processing capacity, reducing congestion, and strengthening functional, safety, and security operations.

The tenants at the port have already started moving into their new, state-of-the-art facilities. These agencies include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. General Services Agency (GSA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Pedestrian bridge

The Atkinson/Clark team is gearing up for the next phase – the renovation of the export and main pedestrian facilities. Phase 2 of the project is slated for completion in 2023. 

In 2019, the Atkinson/Clark team delivered phase 3 of the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry (LPOE) project, an initiative that helped address increased travel delays due to traffic volume in the busiest land port in the world.