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Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $12 million in funding for improvements for the Ysleta Port of Entry using the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. These funds would be used for pedestrian improvements and to modernize the port’s infrastructure.

Congresswoman Escobar was the only member of Congress from the region to vote for the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Last year, this legislation allowed for $1.5 billion of available funding in FY22 RAISE grants. In March 2022, Congresswoman Escobar sent a letter of support to Secretary Buttigieg for the Ysleta Port of Entry and has continued to advocate for the port and city since.

“Modernizing our land port infrastructure has long been a high priority for me,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “I am so proud to have helped secure this funding that improves pedestrian safety, reduces carbon emissions, and addresses racial equities facing Latinos as El Paso overcomes challenges to cross-border trade and travel that defines our economic success.” 

“We are incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Escobar for her leadership in securing this federal investment in our international bridges. Being awarded this grant is due to our strategic decision to align our International Bridges, Economic Development, Planning, and Grants Division Departments. The integration of these departments has strengthened our economic development and binational efforts. We also thank our State Delegation and binational partners who have supported our efforts,” said City Manager Tommy Gonzalez.

The RAISE grant program provides communities of all sizes the opportunity to modernize their infrastructure through the DOT. Hundreds of applications are sent in from around the country for the DOT to invest in road, rail, transit, and port projects that aim to meet national objectives. Each project is rigorously reviewed on the criteria of safety, state of repair, economic competitiveness, opportunity, quality of life, or innovation then selected based on merit. These grants are also just one way that the promise to create good-paying jobs is being fulfilled by the Biden Administration.  

The $1.5 billion in available funding for FY22 represents a 50 percent increase compared to last year, as directed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which Congresswoman Escobar voted for on November 5, 2021, and President Joe Biden signed into law on November 15, 2021. The RAISE program is a gateway for projects like this, which make transportation safer, accessible, and sustainable, to now be supported more than ever.