From the Director: Improvements at our ports of entry mean business for Arizona

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

Transportation is a key component of commerce, especially at our international ports of entry. If there are delays at the ports, it can cost businesses time and money to move products to their final destinations. At the Arizona Department of Transportation, we are making great strides in improving efficiency at our international ports of entry, making our state an attractive route for commercial carriers.

While safety remains our top goal, we want to be as efficient as possible at helping commerce move across our border and into Arizona’s economy. By working closely with international trucking interests, we are supporting commercial traffic and boosting the economy not just in Arizona but along the Interstate 10 corridor and across the nation.

ADOT enforcement officers have identified system changes that are improving operations at our international ports in San Luis, Douglas and Nogales. By being consistent with our inspections, educating Mexican trucking companies and drivers on what to expect during these inspections, coordinating inspections with our federal partners, and employing the latest technology during the inspection process -- all of these efforts are bringing commerce back to AZ. Commercial truck traffic is up 7 percent at the San Luis port in just two months.

I am proud of our agency’s efforts to streamline processes and identify innovative ways to better serve our customers, all part of the Arizona Management System. The system improvements we are making at our international ports of entry mean business for our state. While still maintaining safety, reducing inspection times and lowering company costs, we are encouraging trucking companies to use Arizona as a key commerce state. Transportation is indeed a key component of commerce.

This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's
LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.