More than 100,000 people cross the U.S.-Mexico border daily at the world’s busiest land port of entry in San Ysidro, Calif., but the 30-year-old, 50-acre campus needed updating. The $182-million Phase 1B—the first of three phases—included demolition and construction to create a new headhouse building, northbound primary and secondary canopies and booths, an underground tunnel that will connect to the parking garage in Phase 3 and other sitework. The contract also included partial construction of a narcotics-inspection building. Targeting net-zero energy, the project achieved LEED-Platinum certification as a result of 1.53-MW photovoltaic system, an onsite water treatment plant expected to save 20 million gallons of utility water a year and a stormwater harvesting system. General contractor Hensel Phelps had to overcome numerous logistical and security hurdles in keeping the port operational at all times.

San Ysidro U.S. Land Port of Entry

San Ysidro

Key Players
Owner General Services Administration
Lead Design Firm The Miller Hull Partnership LLP
Contractor Hensel Phelps Construction
Structural and Civil Engineer Stacy & Witbeck Inc.
MEP Engineer Interface Engineering