Council backs resolution in support of funding for port improvements

  The Yuma City Council has approved a resolution urging federal funding to the state for improvements to the San Luis port of entry.

  During a special meeting held Monday morning to consider the measure, the council voted 5-0, with Paul Johnson and Mayor Larry Nelson absent, in favor of the resolution.

  It's the same resolution the Yuma County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Monday.

  Gov. Janet Napolitano sent the resolution around the state, asking for support in obtaining funds for infrastructure improvements needed for the ports in San Luis, Nogales and Douglas.

  The resolution notes that the federal government named improving the border infrastructure as a top priority to maintain national security and to help the area's economy but did not provide funding for fiscal year 2009.

  The special Yuma council meeting was called because of the urgency of the matter. The council was unable to act on the measure during its regular meeting last week as the item wasn't on the agenda.

  While a new commercial port of entry will help with truck traffic, improvements are needed to the existing port to increase its capacity for border crossings by personal vehicles and pedestrians, said Julie Engel, project manager for Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp.

  Congestion at San Luis Port I, as the existing port is referred to, is greatly impacting the area's economy, she said. Faced with waits of four to five hours at the border, many people are reducing their number of trips.

  This means that fewer people are crossing the border to shop, visit with family, dine at the restaurants and to work, Engel said.

  "This hurts all our retail," she said.

  It's also hurting the agriculture industry, she said. "It's making it much harder for workers to get across." As a result, farmers have been struggling with short crews to harvest their crops, said Engel.

  Ramon Riesgo, southern border project director for GSA, said the project, which would cost an estimated $100 million, would include increasing the lanes for passenger vehicles from the current seven to 11 or 12, having dedicated lane for larger vehicles such as recreational vehicles, emergency vehicles and buses, and expanding the administration building to increase pedestrian capacity. New technology also would be installed to expedite crossings.

  He said the plan is to apply for funding next year to initiate construction in fiscal year 2011.

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Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.