
commercial truck crossings than any year on record and saw an 11% growth in pedestrians from the previous year.
The New Mexico Border Authority reported that in 2012 the Columbus port processed 10,627 commercial trucks – an 18% increase over the next-highest year’s record.
Authorities say the increase in demand for chile and other agriculture exports has mostly driven the growth in crossings at the Columbus port, and producers such as Border Foods in Deming are
responding to that demand.
Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela said they were pleased with the growth of commercial crossings at the border ports – both in Columbus and Santa Teresa.
Barela said the creation of the Six Mile Overweight Cargo Radius signed into law by Governor Susana Martinez in 2011 also contributed to the growth.
He said the initiative was a strategic move to create jobs by making it easier for trucks coming from Mexico with large loads to cross through and unload cargo.