Construction began Tuesday in San Diego on eight prototypes for the wall along the Southwest U.S. border, which are designed to deter illegal crossings and inform future design standards.
“We are committed to securing our border and that includes constructing border walls,” Ronald Vitiello, acting deputy commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), said. “Our multi-pronged strategy to ensure the safety and security of the American people includes barriers, infrastructure, technology and people.”
Four of the prototypes are made of concrete, and four will consists of other materials. All of the prototypes will be between 18 and 30 feet tall.
The prototypes are expected to be completed within 30 days of the Notice to Proceed.
“Moving forward with the prototypes enables us to continue to incorporate all the tools necessary to secure our border,” Vitiello said.
The prototypes will be constructed by Caddell Construction Co., (DE), LLC of Montgomery, Alabama; KWR Construction, Inc. of Sierra Vista, Arizona; ELTA North America Inc. of Annapolis Junction, Maryland; W. G. Yates & Sons Construction Company of Philadelphia, Mississippi; Fisher Sand & Gravel Co., DBA Fisher Industries of Tempe, Arizona and Texas Sterling Construction Co. of Houston, Texas.
On Jan. 25, the executive order Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary to take steps toward the completion of a southern border wall. CBP announced the contracts for concrete border wall prototypes on Aug. 31 and prototypes made of other materials on Sept. 7.