Nogales Crossing may be a short-term problem!
From the Nogales International Newspaper:
"ADOT warns of truck blockade at Arizona ports
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Posted: Friday, April 18, 2014 8:58 am | Updated: 9:29 am, Fri Apr 18, 2014.
Nogales International | 2 comments
Mexican truckers are upset about their treatment at Arizona ports of entry and could blockade the ports if conditions don’t improve, state authorities say.
Truckers in Nogales, Ariz. and Nogales, Sonora threatened to blockade Arizona’s ports of entry, citing concerns over the high number of inspections and fines, as well as the high number of trucks placed “out of service” by U.S. federal safety inspectors, according to a news release issued by the Arizona Department of Transportation on Wednesday.
In addition, the truckers complained the fines and “out of service” rulings are disproportionately higher at Arizona’s ports of entry than at ports in Texas and California.
The truckers reportedly gave a March 20 deadline for the blockade, but “the efforts of many officials have helped stave off that threat for now,” the release said.
ADOT “doesn’t take a position on the merits of these grievances,” but in light of the importance of cross-border trade to Arizona’s economy, the agency is urging the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to consider these complaints and resolve the issues in order to avoid a blockade, according to the release.
“A blockade would have detrimental and long-standing repercussions for Nogales and the entire Sinaloa-Sonora-Arizona corridor as Arizona looks to enhance competitiveness with other U.S. border states,” said ADOT director John Halikowski.
“The United States and Mexico are engaged in a high-level dialogue to promote competitiveness and connectivity along with fostering economic growth and productivity,” he said. “But without an effective and efficient border, our two nations would not be able to reach their maximum potential. Our work on the border is critical to Arizona’s and the nation’s future.”
Vehicular traffic at Arizona’s ports of entry has risen in recent years, from 15 million cars in 2012 to 16.3 million cars in 2013. Truck traffic increased from 754,000 crossings in 2012 to 763,000 crossings in 2013. Train crossings also increased from 1,300 in 2012 to 1,730 in 2013.
“Arizona and our federal partners have been working tirelessly to ensure that our ports of entry are modernized so that we can remain competitive with other border states,” said Margie Emmermann, executive director of the Arizona-Mexico Commission."
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
"ADOT warns of truck blockade at Arizona ports
Story
Comments (2)
Posted: Friday, April 18, 2014 8:58 am | Updated: 9:29 am, Fri Apr 18, 2014.
Nogales International | 2 comments
Mexican truckers are upset about their treatment at Arizona ports of entry and could blockade the ports if conditions don’t improve, state authorities say.
Truckers in Nogales, Ariz. and Nogales, Sonora threatened to blockade Arizona’s ports of entry, citing concerns over the high number of inspections and fines, as well as the high number of trucks placed “out of service” by U.S. federal safety inspectors, according to a news release issued by the Arizona Department of Transportation on Wednesday.
In addition, the truckers complained the fines and “out of service” rulings are disproportionately higher at Arizona’s ports of entry than at ports in Texas and California.
The truckers reportedly gave a March 20 deadline for the blockade, but “the efforts of many officials have helped stave off that threat for now,” the release said.
ADOT “doesn’t take a position on the merits of these grievances,” but in light of the importance of cross-border trade to Arizona’s economy, the agency is urging the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to consider these complaints and resolve the issues in order to avoid a blockade, according to the release.
“A blockade would have detrimental and long-standing repercussions for Nogales and the entire Sinaloa-Sonora-Arizona corridor as Arizona looks to enhance competitiveness with other U.S. border states,” said ADOT director John Halikowski.
“The United States and Mexico are engaged in a high-level dialogue to promote competitiveness and connectivity along with fostering economic growth and productivity,” he said. “But without an effective and efficient border, our two nations would not be able to reach their maximum potential. Our work on the border is critical to Arizona’s and the nation’s future.”
Vehicular traffic at Arizona’s ports of entry has risen in recent years, from 15 million cars in 2012 to 16.3 million cars in 2013. Truck traffic increased from 754,000 crossings in 2012 to 763,000 crossings in 2013. Train crossings also increased from 1,300 in 2012 to 1,730 in 2013.
“Arizona and our federal partners have been working tirelessly to ensure that our ports of entry are modernized so that we can remain competitive with other border states,” said Margie Emmermann, executive director of the Arizona-Mexico Commission."
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
