Construction crews have begun replacing an estimated 7.5 miles of outdated primary pedestrian fencing along the U.S-Mexico border near Arizona’s Naco Port of Entry.
Portions of the current wire mesh and landing-mat fencing are being replaced with an 18-foot high bollard fence. Similar upgrades have already proven to be beneficial in other areas where agents and detection technologies are able to see through the fence, allowing for safer and more effective border security.
Plans for the replacement fencing began four years ago, and funding for the project was approved last year as part of the Fiscal Budget for 2016. The completion of the project is slated for June 2017. The project is being coordinated between the Tucson Sector Border Patrol and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Of the 262 linear miles of border being patrolled by Tucson Sector agents, approximately 210 miles have some type of pedestrian fence or vehicle barrier.