A new dedicated lane for SENTRI pass holders is set to begin operations in Tijuana the third week of November, Mayor Ismael Burgueño announced. The new access point, located on Calle Segunda in the city’s Downtown area, is designed to alleviate severe traffic congestion at one of the world’s busiest border crossings.
The mayor presented the project as a key component of a binational agenda and a larger restructuring of Tijuana’s border crossing system. The primary goal is to alleviate traffic on high-demand routes in Tijuana, such as the Zona Río and its surroundings, which would provide a direct benefit for the local economy.
Under the new plan, Calle Segunda will become an exclusive route for SENTRI users. The existing SENTRI lane on Avenida Padre Kino will continue to operate. Most crossing lanes, including the medical pass lane, will remain on Paseo de los Héroes, while the Ready Lane will stay on Vía Rápida.
“Each month, we see about 600,000 vehicle crossings in the SENTRI lane, a similar number in the Ready Lane, and approximately 170,000 vehicles in the general lane,” Mayor Burgueño Ruiz said, noting that these figures show the magnitude of border traffic in Tijuana and the need to continue implementing actions that improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion.
The mayor stated that drivers coming from Playas de Tijuana or Rosarito will now be able to enter the SENTRI lane directly without the need to drive around the city, benefiting thousands of people who cross daily into the United States.
Further works on Vía Rápida Oriente are planned, pending the approval of the 2026 infrastructure budget.
Mayor Ismael Burgueño noted that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the San Ysidro port of entry will also launch a complementary four-month pilot program designed to enhance operational efficiency without compromising national security standards. Its performance will be closely evaluated to decide if the changes become permanent.
The initiative reflects Mayor Ismael Burgueño’s commitment to modernizing access points, improving urban mobility, and delivering practical solutions for residents—all aimed at building a more agile, organized, and efficient city that enhances everyday life for both locals and visitors.
