Zipping through port of entry

DOING BUSINESS ON THE BORDER

High-tech ID card lets thousands avoid traffic jams in Nogales

CLAUDINE LoMONACO
Tucson Citizen

NOGALES - This New Year's, Manuel Lopez resolved to join life in the fast lane. Literally.

Since 1992, the 44-year old Tucsonan has lost several hours a week breathing in exhaust fumes and waiting behind a long line of idling cars to re-enter the United States after doing business with Mexican factories.

So a couple days into 2007, he stopped by the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry to get information about SENTRI, a program that grants preapproved, regular cross-border travelers permission to use a reserved lane that bypasses up to two hours of downtown Nogales traffic.

SENTRI, or Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, started in San Diego in 1995, but took more than 10 years to come to Nogales. It opened in April. Since then nearly 3,600 people have been been approved for the program at this port after going through a rigorous, two-month review process that includes an online application, background check, fingerprinting, in-person interview and vehicle inspection.