Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced $54 million in grants to help ensure the safe operation of Mexico-domiciled commercial vehicles in the U.S. and improve traffic flow at border crossings in the four border states.

Mineta said the funds will help improve traffic flow and ensure the safety of motorists by enabling construction and improvements to motor carrier safety inspection facilities along the United States-Mexico border.

The funds were appropriated by Congress to be distributed among the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas under the Department’s Border Infrastructure Program (BIP). Of the $54 million, $2.1 million will be awarded to Arizona, $8.9 million to California, $2.2 million to New Mexico and $40.8 million to Texas.

Projects funded under BIP include the construction of eight new commercial vehicle safety inspection facilities at the border in Texas, upgrade and final construction of an automated port of entry at the Santa Teresa, NM border crossing and construction of additional inspection bays and parking areas for out-of-service vehicles at the commercial vehicle enforcement facility at Calexico, CA.