New construction project aims to shorten bridge wait times

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is investing over $500,000 to make bridge wait times in El Paso shorter.

Starting Monday, CBP officials said construction will begin on improving Ready Lane traffic.

“Ready Lane processing is generally about 30 percent faster than non-Ready Lane traffic,” Beverly Good, CBP El Paso Port Director Beverly Good said in a press release. “We only achieve that benefit when Ready Lanes are only used by those possessing Ready Lane documents. This project will help maintain the integrity of the Ready Lanes.”

Once the project is complete the Paso Del Norte and Bridge of the Americas ports of entry will have up to 10 Ready Lanes. The Ysleta Port of Entry will have up to six.

CBP officials said the project is expected to be completed on April 12.

In order to use the Ready Lanes, you need a Radio Frequency Identification Card (RFID). This includes passport cards, enhanced driver’s licences, NEXUS and SENTRI cards. This only applies to people over the age of 16. Travelers 15 and under are fine, as long as everyone else in the car has proper identification.

“When people enter Ready Lanes without an appropriate document it slows down the processing rate in those lanes,” Good said. “The Ready Lanes work best when only border crossers with proper documentation use those specified Ready Lanes. Those who do not have RFID documents need to avoid the Ready Lanes.”

Crews will work from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily to avoid impacting traffic.

Here’s a list of identification cards that can be used in Ready Lanes.

U.S. Passport Card Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC) Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry and FAST cards) Enhanced Permanent Resident Card (PRC) Border Crossing Card (BCC).