Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are espousing the benefits of initiating Low Energy Portal (LEP) scanning systems at the El Paso, Texas, Bridge of the Americas international crossing.
“The LEP system will scan arriving traffic, and the imagery generated will be used by CBP to identify potential threats in a timely and efficient manner,” CBP El Paso Port Director Ray Provencio said. “The systems will supplement existing non-intrusive inspection technology, enhance border security, and will not impede current traffic flows or wait times.”
The scope of work calls for the systems to be installed in the passenger vehicle queuing areas south of the primary inspection booths and scan arriving vehicular traffic – adding initial construction this month will begin on the west side of the bridge and move east during installation.
Contractors plan to work during the night to further reduce any impact on northbound vehicle traffic, with the goal of having construction completed by late April and implementation in the early summer.
According to CBP, once the installation is completed, all arriving vehicles will pass through the LEP systems after crossing the international boundary and before they reach the primary inspection booth – with CBP personnel reviewing the imagery generated by the system and following through with additional screening if any anomalies or issues are noted.
Additionally, an option will be available for those who elect not to drive through the LEP system utilizing existing inspection protocols.