### Opening Otay 2 in One Direction Currently Unfeasible
**By TJGringo Staff Writer**
Local authorities in California continue to work diligently on constructing access roads to the Otay 2 border crossing. Despite pressure from Mexican officials to expedite the project, U.S. authorities have stated that opening Otay 2 for north-to-south traffic is currently unfeasible. This sentiment was echoed by Christopher Teal, the U.S. Consul in Tijuana, who emphasized that several logistical and bureaucratic hurdles remain.
“We haven’t finished construction on many parts of our side, which means we can’t open the crossing. While there have been some advances, we need to focus on bureaucratic processes for now,” said Teal.
Unlike Mexico, where the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) is solely responsible for completing the customs facility, the United States involves federal, state, and local authorities in their construction efforts.
“We are working collaboratively with federal, state, and local authorities to complete the design and initiate contracts,” Teal added.
California authorities are pushing forward with building access roads and finalizing contracts for the infrastructure needed on their side of the border. However, no concrete timeline has been established for the completion of the U.S. facilities, though Mexican authorities optimistically predict their section could be finished within five weeks and entirely completed by 2027.
Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda shared optimistic updates about the Mexican side, expressing hopes for its readiness in as short as five weeks. Arturo Espinoza Jaramillo, head of the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Urban Development, and Territorial Planning (Sidrut), suggested a solution to use the Otay 2 crossing for returning empty vehicles to manage the ongoing congestion of freight trucks.
“The fact that we haven’t completed construction on many parts of our side means we can’t open the crossing,” stressed Teal, highlighting the need for more time and coordination.
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### Secondary Article: Potential for Nearby Industrial Parks
**By TJGringo Staff Writer**
### Plans to Build Industrial Parks Near Otay 2
In alignment with the development of the Otay 2 border crossing, plans are underway to construct nearby industrial parks. These parks aim to bolster economic activity and streamline logistics for cross-border commerce.
“The commercial relationship between Mexico and the U.S. goes beyond mere political discourse,” stated a representative from the Economic Development and Industrial Committee of Tijuana (Deitac). These industrial zones promise to provide comprehensive solutions to advance the facilitation of trade between the neighboring nations.
The construction of such industrial parks is seen as essential for accommodating the expected increase in cargo traffic once the Otay 2 project is completed. Planners are optimistic that this could help alleviate long-standing bottlenecks and contribute to the economic growth of the region.
The development of these industrial parks represents another crucial step in enhancing the capabilities and efficiency of cross-border trade, reinforcing the already strong commercial ties between the United States and Mexico.
Stay tuned for more updates on this and other local projects designed to boost economic activity in the Tijuana region.