U.S. Land Port of Entry Expansion and Modernization
Historic port of entry renovation
Project Facts
Location | Laredo, Texas |
Owner | General Services Administration |
Cost | $17.5 million |
Status | Completed 2018 |
Overview
Walter P Moore played a pivotal role in the expansion and modernization of the historic land port of entry (LPOE), offering expertise in civil, structural, and traffic engineering. Given the LPOE’s status as one of the busiest Mexico-to-U.S. crossings, a carefully phased plan was executed to guarantee uninterrupted facility operations throughout the construction process.
Services
About the Project
Located on Bridge #1, the LPOE is 65+ years old and is the only pedestrian crossing between the downtown areas of Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. It is the only historic POE in Region 7 and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It is also a Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) crossing. Substantial increases in pedestrian traffic have been documented and are expected to continue. The LPOE pedestrian access did not meet today’s standards for handicap accessibility or life safety. Additionally, the 5-acre LPOE had site constraints that limited expansion potential for the port without significant reconfiguration.
Civil engineering services included site roadway geometry design and layout, drainage design to meet EPA Section 438 criteria and gain LEED storm water points, pavement design, perimeter fence security design meeting CBP standards, and utility design including domestic and fire water along with an onsite rainwater harvesting cistern. Civil engineering services also included sanitary sewer design and design construction administration.