El Paso PDN Port of Entry
The El Paso Paso del Norte (PDN) Port of Entry, is among the United States' busiest border crossings. More than 10 million people enter the US from Mexico each year at this location. Upon arrival, the admissibility of each person is determined by an officer of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Frequently the vehicle and/or possessions of those entering the US are inspected by CBP in an effort to prevent contraband from being brought into the US.
| El Paso PDN Port of Entry | |
|---|---|
 El Paso PDN Port of Entry, as seen in 1998 | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Location | 1000 South El Paso Street, El Paso, Texas 79901 (Paso del Norte International Bridge) |
| Coordinates | 31.749929°N 106.486691°W |
| Details | |
| Opened | 1898 |
| Phone | (915) 872-5700 |
| Hours | Open 24 Hours |
| Exit Port | Santa Fe |
| Statistics | |
| 2006 Cars | 3,393,000 |
| 2006 Trucks | 0 |
| Pedestrians | 6,188,488 |
| Website http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/tx/2402.xml | |
The PDN Port of Entry is located at the Paso del Norte International Bridge, and is limited to northbound non-commercial traffic (although pedestrians may also cross the bridge in the southbound direction).[1]
Bridges between El Paso and Cuidad Juarez have existed at this location for over 250 years,[2] and they have been rebuilt many times due to floods, expansion and international treaties. PDN is sometimes called the Santa Fe bridge, because its predecessor (prior to 1967) emptied traffic onto Santa Fe Street immediately to the west. Approximately 2000 trains enter the U.S. each year on an adjacent rail bridge. Streetcar traffic also once entered the US on the Paso del Norte Bridge, but that service ended in 1974.[3]
The El Paso PDN Port of Entry ranks second only to the San Ysidro Port of Entry in the number of pedestrians entering the United States from Mexico each year.
References
- "Border Crossing Travel Time Study, FINAL Study Report, Volume I: TxDOT El Paso District". RJ RIVERA Associates, Inc. for Texas Department of Transportation, Transportation Planning and Programming Division. Archived from the original on 26 December 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
- Paul Horgan, Great River: The Rio Grande in North American History. Volume 1, Indians and Spain. Vol. 2, Mexico and the United States. 2 Vols. in 1, 1038 pages - Wesleyan University Press 1991, 4th Reprint, ISBN 0-8195-6251-3
- Hayley Kappes, "El Paso trolley revival pitched: Activist has plan for bond issue", El Paso Times, March 9, 2012