As the day when Mexican trucks will be allowed full access to U.S. highways draws closer, the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced $54 million in grants to help ensure the safe operation of Mexican trucks in the United States and improve traffic flow at southern border crossings.

These funds were appropriated by Congress from the federal-aid highways revenue aligned budget authority to be distributed among the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas under the Department's Border Infrastructure Program. Of the $54 million, $2.1 million will be awarded to Arizona; $8.9 million, to California; $2.2 million, to New Mexico; and $40.8 million, to Texas.
The objectives of the Border Infrastructure Program are to ensure the safe operation of Mexico-domiciled commercial motor vehicles operating in the United States and improve traffic flow at border crossings.
Projects funded under the BIP include construction of eight new inspection facilities at the border in Texas; upgrade and final construction of an automated port of entry at the Santa Teresa, N.M., border crossing; and construction of more inspection bays and parking areas for out-of-service vehicles at the commercial vehicle enforcement facility at Calexico, Calif.
The BIP is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Federal Highway Administration initiative under which the federal government contributes 80 percent of the project cost and the four states involved pay 20 percent of the expenses.