The US Department of Transportation has announced plans to reduce traffic congestion at three border crossings:

• A new port of entry for San Diego’s Otay Mesa East Port of Entry  and a 2.7-mile, four lane highway linking it to other California highways.

• The East Loop Bypass Project in Laredo, TX: a new rail bridge across the border and new rail bypass around the city.

• The Cascade Gateway Expanded Cross-border Advanced Traveler Information System at the in Blaine, WA corssing to “provide real-time border-crossing wait-times and other travel information through a combination of technologies.”

The three projects will have access to prioritized funding and “discretionary programs.”

“Congestion at our borders is choking both travelers and commerce,” Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said. “By prioritizing the projects, we can improve the movement of people and goods across our borders and help to maintain these important economic lifelines.”