Speedier Border Crossing System To Be Unveiled
EL PASO (AP) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials plan to unveil in the West Texas border city of El Paso a new system aimed at shortening the time it takes for pedestrians and vehicles to be processed at ports of entry.
CBP Deputy Commissioner David Aguilar is expected to announce the enhancements to the Paso del Norte crossing on Thursday.
The pilot program includes technology to quickly process pedestrians. Aguilar will also highlight new "Ready Lanes," a system that rapidly processes vehicles, as well as a shortwave AM radio station that will broadcast border crossing information to travelers.
If successful, the improvements will be expanded to other border crossings. Crossing into El Paso from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico can mean standing in line for up to two hours.
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