Operators have officially opened Cross Border Xpress (CBX), a $120 million passenger bridge and terminal linking Otay Mesa to Tijuana International Airport. The facility includes a 390-foot enclosed pedestrian skybridge spanning the U.S/Mexico border.
The privately funded, 24-hour facility was built by a group that included Chicago-based Equity Group Investments, led by billionaire real estate developer Sam Zell. It opened for business Dec. 9, after approximately 18 months of construction.
Operators said CBX can be used only by ticketed passengers flying out of the Tijuana airport within 24 hours, or ticketed Tijuana airport passengers who have flown into the airport and wish to use CBX within two hours after landing.
With its entrance and parking located at 2745 Otay Pacific drive, CBX includes U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities, transportation services, duty-free shopping, food and beverage offerings and outdoor patios. Portions of the 55-acre terminal property are accessible to the general public who may be dropping off or picking up passengers.
“This will be a great new option for travel between the U.S. and Mexico,” said Jerry Sanders, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, in a statement issued by CBX operators. “It is unique in the world, and we expect the CBX will be a catalyst for economic growth in our region on both sides of the border.”
Architectural and design work for the project was done by Legorreta + Legorreta and Stantec. San Diego-based planning and engineering firm Latitude 33 provided land entitlements, construction documents and related services in association with Otay-Tijuana Venture LLC, the development entity.
Tickets for one-way access to the terminal cost $18 per adult, with lower costs for seniors and young children and more information at crossborderxpress.com. Operators said the crossing fee is being waived for travel taking place Dec. 9-18.
