Stantec, alongside Hensel Phelps and Jones Studio, has secured a $274.7m contract from the US General Services Administration (GSA) to construct a new commercial inspection port in Douglas, Arizona.

The project, named the Douglas Commercial Land Port of Entry (LPOE), is set to receive substantial funding from the US government. The port aims to enhance domestic capacity and promote trade and travel between the US and Mexico.

The contract requires Stantec to offer transportation infrastructure, site civil engineering, utility engineering, and surveying, as well as provide architecture and sustainability consulting services.

The GSA has allocated $180.3m from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and an additional $92.2m from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to support this critical infrastructure development.

Furthermore, the project includes subcontracting goals that reflect the GSA's dedication to expanding opportunities for small businesses.

Currently, the Raul Hector Castro (RHC) Land Port of Entry processes both commercial and noncommercial vehicles.

The new Douglas Commercial LPOE, situated on over 80 acres and located five miles from the existing port, will significantly increase inspection capacity. It will expand from one- to four truck-inspection lanes and from 12- to 36 truck-inspection docks.

The new port will also accommodate oversized mining equipment that the current RHC port cannot handle.

With the introduction of the new Douglas Commercial LPOE, all commercial traffic will be redirected there, allowing the RHC LPOE to focus solely on noncommercial traffic.

Construction is expected to commence in late 2025 and conclude by late 2028.

US Customs and Border Protection senior official Troy A Miller said: “The new Douglas Land Port of Entry will significantly increase our ability to inspect commercial vehicles and process goods more efficiently, all while supporting economic growth in the region.”.