The Columbus Port of Entry project stands as New Mexico’s latest border crossing, facilitating the inspection of privately owned and commercial vehicles, as well as pedestrians, entering and exiting this crucial crossing point. Operating around the clock, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, this project needed to remain fully functional during construction. Over the past several years, the port had been operating from outdated and deteriorating facilities that no longer met the functional requirements of the agency. Moreover, the site posed additional challenges, including frequent flooding due to its location at the low drainage point for a 44-square-mile watershed area. The expansion and modernization of the port address these deficiencies, ensuring that Columbus can effectively meet the growing demand and attract new business opportunities to the state of New Mexico.

This comprehensive $121,895,000 project, executed in five distinct phases, aimed to rectify the port’s deficiencies and upgrade the facility to accommodate the increased pedestrian and seasonal commercial traffic. Between 2010 and 2014, the Columbus Port of Entry experienced a substantial surge in commercial truck traffic, with the number of trucks rising from approximately 8,500 to over 14,200. Pedestrian traffic also witnessed an 18 percent growth during the same period, while vehicle traffic increased by 10 percent. Furthermore, from Monday to Friday, the port serves as the primary crossing point for hundreds of U.S.-born Mexican children attending schools in Columbus or Deming, New Mexico. To enhance connectivity, the project included designing and constructing new commercial import and export entrances from Mexico and integrating a new commercial bypass road. Additionally, site improvements were implemented to effectively manage the stormwater flow and safeguard the newly constructed facilities.