Border Security Plan May Lead To Traffic Jams

SAN DIEGO -- A new plan by the Mexican government to check on all cars driving into Mexico has many anticipating long waits and traffic backed up for miles.

10News learned that starting in September the long waits will extend miles into Chula Vista.

10News obtained video footage from Laredo, Texas, that showed all cars being stopped, weighed and measured by a sensor -- all part of a new program aimed at cracking down on illegal trafficking of guns into Mexico.

"They (Texans) went from 5 to 10 minutes in peak hours to having 90 minute border waits," said Jason Wells, executive director for the San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce.

Wells said once the program begins in San Ysidro at the end of September, the wait going into Mexico will cause a traffic jam stretching back for miles.

"The real issue is, within 7 lanes, having 38,000 to 40,000 cars going southbound every day; you just cannot stop every car," said Wells.

The program is designed to take about eight seconds per car, but officials in Laredo said it is taking at least 10 seconds.

"We certainly support the inspection as an idea, but the current implementation really needs work," said Wells.

Increased wait times may have an effect on local businesses, 10News learned.

Robin Read and his family have owned El Progreso clothing store in San Ysidro for over 30 years. Read said 80 percent of their customers live in Mexico and cross over to shop.

"We're scared we're going to see people who don't want to cross over the border to buy stuff because it's more work going back into Mexico, then it is work to get here in the first place," said Read.

Read said they are already seeing a drop in customers as wait times have increased with construction of the new system.

Wells said his organization has presented both the Mexican and U.S. government with an alternative plan that will be more effective and save both time and money.

"Low-dose, dual-energy x-ray, that through an arc a car can drive 10 to 15 mph and have a full read of everything that's in the car, whether it's liquids, minerals, metals, cash," said Wells.

Wells said the Mexican government has expressed interest in this plan, which he said would only take one day to install.

"There's no need to have them doing one inspection, and us doing another one 50 yards north of them," said Wells.

The Mexican government is planning to start testing the current system in San Ysidro around the end of July.

The program is expected to go into full effect at the end of September.