-Editorial
Construction has begun on the Calexico Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC), a long-planned project aimed at improving transportation connectivity in the region. The Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC) announced the groundbreaking on a site located on 3rd Street between Rockwood and Heffernan Avenues in downtown Calexico.
The ITC will consolidate multiple transportation services in one location, providing amenities such as customer service facilities, shaded waiting areas, bicycle racks, public restrooms, security infrastructure, and electric vehicle charging stations. The center will also include improvements to nearby sidewalks and crossings to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Located three blocks from the Calexico West Port of Entry, the facility is expected to enhance mobility for residents and cross-border travelers.
ICTC Chairman Robert Amparano highlighted the significance of the project, stating, “The Calexico ITC demonstrates Imperial County’s commitment to providing an equitable, safe, and efficient transportation experience for residents.”
The project aims to expand transportation options and improve access to daily destinations while contributing to regional sustainability efforts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), a key funding partner, emphasized the project’s role in advancing regional mobility. “The Calexico ITC project demonstrates the effectiveness of regional collaboration and the future of transportation,” said SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise.
Planning for the ITC began in 2014 with a feasibility study, and funding has been secured from multiple sources, including a federal 2023 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant and various state and regional transportation funds.
Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) praised the project’s impact, calling it “a critical transportation hub” that supports sustainable infrastructure and connectivity. Caltrans District 11 Director Ann Fox echoed this sentiment, noting the agency’s involvement since the project’s inception and its role in strengthening cross-border mobility.
The Calexico ITC is expected to enhance public transportation accessibility while supporting regional economic growth.
