With 1.4 million truck crossings per year, the Otay Mesa Port of entry is the largest commercial crossing on the California-Mexico border handling the second highest volume of trucks and third dollar value of trade among all U.S.-Mexico land border crossings. Without a doubt, Otay Mesa is "California's Exporting Corridor."

More than 52 percent of the two-way trade between California and Mexico -- $19.5 billion -- and 90 percent of San Diego exports -- $3 billion -- are transported annually through Otay Mesa. This valuable port of entry is connected by a recently expanded six-lane city street, Otay Mesa Road, with traffic demands at three times its capacity. Thanks to efforts from several elected officials, private organizations including the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce and government agencies, the construction process for two major highways that will run through Otay Mesa, will begin in the next few months.

State Route 905

The proposed SR-905 will be a six-mile freeway running roughly 1,300 feet to the south of and parallel to Otay Mesa Road, connecting Interstates 5 and 805 with the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. SR-905 will provide a critical link that will vastly improve commercial traffic in the San Diego-Tijuana region.

The estimated cost of this project is $293 million. Through strong public-private partnerships, the region has been successful in spearheading efforts to obtain the necessary funding for this project, which currently amounts to $236 million.

The Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that construction for phase one of this crucial infrastructure project will begin as early as December 2002 and completion for the entire project is expected by 2008. SR-905 is one of three highways under development in Otay Mesa.

State Route 125

Recently acquired by Australian-based Macquarie Infrastructure Group, the SR-125 toll-way project is also scheduled to begin construction this winter. Through a public-private partnership with the California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans, the developers will build the southern section of SR-125 connecting the San Diego Regional Transportation network to Otay Mesa.

SR-125 is already open or under construction from SR-52 to SR-54. The last 11 miles from SR-54 to the Otay Mesa Border will be completed by early 2006. Operated as a toll-way, SR-125 South will relieve traffic congestion, reduce travel time and provide direct access to the growing businesses along our border. Because the southern section of the roadway is being privately financed, no tax dollars will be used to construct or maintain the highway.

Construction for this project is expected to begin early next year, with the opening scheduled for early 2006. The contractor for this project, the Washington Group, has already set up temporary facilities in Eastlake, Chula Vista. The first phase of the project includes local interchanges at Otay Mesa Road, Olympic Parkway, Telegraph Canyon Road, East H Street and Mount Miguel Road, and a freeway-to-freeway interchange at SR-54.

Proposed Port of Entry and State Route-11

Regional agencies on both sides of the border have proposed a new port of entry for Otay Mesa. The proposed port -- East Otay Mesa -- would be located approximately 1.2 mile east of the existing Otay Mesa facility. SR-11, a four-lane freeway, would be built to serve as the primary link to the new port of entry.

The California Transportation Commission has allocated $8 million for the environmental review process of SR-11. Caltrans has already begun the environmental review process for this project.

If funding becomes available, the design and right of way portions will take approximately two to three years to complete and may be able to commence fall 2003. If funding is secured, construction could commence spring 2006 and take another two to three years to complete. The new highway will connect the proposed Port of Entry with SR-905 and SR-125.

For information on transportation projects in Otay Mesa, contact the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce at (619) 661-6111 or visit www.otaymesa.org.