If you cross into San Diego daily for work or to visit family, there’s good news. Tijuana woke up to major changes in its border traffic flow. At 4:07 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19, Mayor Ismael Burgueño opened a new SENTRI lane on Calle Segunda in the city’s downtown. The change is aimed at easing the long lines that routinely clog the San Ysidro crossing and giving thousands of drivers some relief.
Binational coordination behind the launch
Burgueño arrived with teams from the city’s Economic Development and Mobility departments, which coordinated closely with U.S. authorities—particularly Customs and Border Protection—to ensure the new access point could begin operating without disruption.
The mayor explained that the lane is part of a 120-day pilot program. It will operate from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. and includes two inspection booths. The goal is to speed up traffic for SENTRI users, a group that accounts for roughly 20,000 crossings per day in Tijuana. Officials hope the new route will help unclog the San Ysidro line, which during peak hours can stretch all the way to the Lázaro Cárdenas high school.
Impact on SENTRI and All Traffic Lanes
According to Burgueño, the traditional SENTRI crossing will not be affected. SENTRI handles about 600,000 monthly crossings, while the All Traffic lane moves around 160,000. That gap helps reduce the congestion that routinely builds near the school zone, where drivers often spend long stretches stuck in traffic.
General-traffic lanes will continue operating along Avenida Paseo de los Héroes. To prevent confusion, city staff are stationed in the area to guide motorists still adjusting to the change. Authorities say demand for faster crossings has surged in recent years and estimate the new lane could ease up to 35% of the load on the traditional SENTRI access.
A timely adjustment before the holiday season
Burgueño noted that the pilot comes just in time for the holiday season, when border traffic climbs significantly. He said he’s hopeful the new access point will improve the daily experience for the thousands of Tijuana residents who rely on a fluid border to work, study, or handle essential activities.
