Baja California’s Secretary of Economy, Kurt Honold Morales, addressed media this week regarding the persistent wait-time challenges at the San Ysidro–Tijuana border crossing.
According to the official, one of the main obstacles to smoother traffic flow is the large number of vehicles that customs authorities have been forced to seize.
These cars, confiscated for reasons ranging from lack of proper ownership documents and expired U.S. license plates to cases where American cars are being used by Mexican citizens, are overwhelming the port’s holding lot.
“If you look at the customs area, they have a massive vehicle yard,” Honold explained. “These cars are taking up the very space needed for a project that would add three additional lanes.”
To address the issue, the state government is working with Mexico’s National Customs Agency (ANAM) to secure federal authorization, through the Ministry of Finance, to auction off the seized vehicles. The goal is to clear the lot, free up space, and move forward with the expansion, which could significantly improve traffic at the border.
