Lukeville-Sonoyta Port of Entry Modernization Project Underway

New lane to be opened in December 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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PHOENIX (August 10, 2023) — Construction is underway on a modernization project at the Lukeville-Sonoyta Port of Entry (POE) that will add several upgrades to the facility, including a new northbound lane to expedite entry into the United States primarily for leisure travelers.

The project, being led by the State of Sonora’s Secretariat of Infrastructure and Urban Development (SIDUR), started in early July 2023 and is expected to be completed in December 2023.

The Lukeville-Sonoyta port was used by more than 978,000 travelers last year, many of whom were Arizonans traveling to and from Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) and the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California).

The construction isn’t anticipated to cause major delays to travelers either entering the U.S. or traveling to Mexico from Arizona. Travelers should head to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s az511.gov portal and select “Border Wait Times” to view wait time data at all Arizona land ports of entry.

An additional northbound lane at Lukeville has long been desired by travelers, tourism and economic development officials on both sides of the border as a critical component to delivering economic benefits in the border region and beyond.

Project planners are also looking to establish a Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) lane pilot program in the future, which would further enhance border operations by dedicating its use to visitors who are pre-approved through U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) SENTRI Trusted Traveler Program.

Mexico is, by far, Arizona’s top international visitor market and a critical trade partner of the state. In 2021, Arizona welcomed 2.5 million Mexican visitors who spent $702 million statewide.

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AOT Contact: Josh Coddington, (480) 438-4700, [email protected]
CBP Contact: Edith Serrano, [email protected]

About the Arizona Office of Tourism: The Arizona Office of Tourism works to strengthen and grow Arizona's economy through travel and tourism promotion, positioning Arizona as the leading tourism destination for domestic and international travelers. In 2022, tourism employed more than 179,000 Arizonans and contributed over $3.9 billion in tax revenue to our federal, state and local economies.