Fast, Decisive Action Needed at U.S. Land Ports

By Lurita Doan

[March 15, 2008]  WASHINGTON -- U.S. and Canadian officials will meet in tiny Jackman, Maine, this month and, if winter permits, sink a ceremonial shovel into the cold, hard earth. Aside from some local coverage, the kickoff event for a new land port of entry probably won't receive much attention. At least not the attention it deserves.

The Jackman groundbreaking is more than just pomp -- a tangible step toward easing the fierce border congestion spawned by heightened trade with Canada and Mexico, made worse through years of inattention to our land ports.

Not surprisingly, traffic and tempers have flared to the boiling point. On average, about $2 billion in trade crosses the nation's 163 border crossings each day, along with 350,000 vehicles, 135,000 pedestrians and 30,000 trucks.

Jackman is getting a new facility because the old one is woefully outdated. If only this Northern outpost were the exception! But the story's the same in countless Northern and Southern border towns, where lanes intended to facilitate trade and travel are too often choked with cars, trucks and exhaust fumes.

America, her visitors and her neighbors deserve a better front door -- one that is welcoming, secure and mutually profitable.

That is why I announced several months ago that the U.S. General Services Administration -- responsible for building and maintaining our nation's land ports -- was committed to bringing new resources and energy to this urgent task. The president has asked us to meet a higher standard at the borders, focusing not solely on security, but also facilitating the free flow of legitimate trade and travelers. So, I want GSA to build what we can, where we can, as fast as we can.

Over the past several months, we have:

• Significantly cut the time it takes to build and design a land port.

• Encouraged state and local leaders to send us practical solutions to relieve congestion.

• Urged greater participation from the private sector, as infrastructure enhancements are a perfect opportunity for public-private partnerships.

GSA currently has 27 land port projects valued at $1.8 billion. Included in the mix are new inspection booths, roads, bridges and secondary checkpoints. The building boom is under way at Jackman and Calais, Maine; San Ysidro, Calif.; San Luis, Ariz.; and many other sites.

In moving forward, we've learned some valuable lessons. Those lessons will be part of the agenda in May, when GSA sponsors a unique land ports conference in San Diego. The event will bring together numerous experts on various issues, such as sharing insights on how sister cities can improve commerce and security; using public-private partnerships to stimulate new border projects; opportunities for local small businesses to participate in the building boom at our land ports; and being prepared in case of a catastrophic event at the borders of the U.S..

Such topics warrant our undivided attention. Ports of entry are critical facilities that not only control the secure flow of legitimate trade and travel across our borders; ports also provide foreign visitors their first glimpse of our great nation.

I don't want that view ruined by frustration, traffic and smog. I don't want one more study telling us what we already know -- that the borders are unbearably congested. The time to act is now, and at GSA, we are committed to action.

[By LURITA DOAN; text from "Common Cents" column received from the U.S. General Services Administration]

Lurita Doan is administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration.