The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have announced the award of 10 new construction contracts totaling about US$4.5 billion. The projects will add 370km of new Smart Wall and nearly 643km of advanced surveillance technology along the southwest border, marking a major expansion in US border security infrastructure.

“The Smart Wall means more miles of barriers, more technology, and more capability for our agents on the ground,” says Rodney Scott, Commissioner, CBP.

The Smart Wall integrates steel and waterborne barriers, patrol roads, lights, cameras, and advanced detection systems to provide real-time situational awareness and tactical advantage to US Border Patrol agents. 

These projects are the first to be funded through US President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB), supplemented by limited Fiscal Year 2021 wall appropriations that had been suspended in previous years. To accelerate construction, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued waivers for environmental and procurement regulations covering about 14.5km in San Diego and 48km in New Mexico’s El Paso Sector.

The 10 awarded contracts include major projects across California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas:

• San Diego 1 Project: BCCG Joint Venture: US$483.5 million for 15km of new Smart Wall and 84km of system enhancements

• El Centro 1 Project: Fisher Sand & Gravel Co: US$574 million for 13km of new Smart Wall and 101km of supporting infrastructure

• Yuma 1 Project: Barnard Spencer Joint Venture: US$199.5 million for 97km of system upgrades.

• Tucson 1 Project: BCCG Joint Venture: US$607 million for 37km of secondary wall and 106km of system components

• El Paso 1 Project: BCCG Joint Venture: US$155.1 million for 11km of Smart Wall replacement and 35km of upgrades

• El Paso 2 Project: Barnard Spencer Joint Venture: US$578.9 million for 37km of new Smart Wall and 130km of technology systems

• El Paso 3 Project: BCCG Joint Venture: US$850.4 million for 68km of new primary Smart Wall, 10km of secondary wall, and 74km of system enhancements

• Del Rio 1 Project: BCCG Joint Venture: US$565 million for 35km of new Smart Wall (including 3km of replacement) and 64km of waterborne barriers

• Del Rio 2 Project: BCCG Joint Venture: US$364.3 million for 16km of Smart Wall, 37km of river-based barriers, and 16km of system upgrades

• Rio Grande Valley Waterborne Barrier Project; BCCG Joint Venture: US$96.2 million for 27km of floating barriers in the Rio Grande River near Brownsville, Texas

In addition, CBP awarded over US$550 million in support contracts to facilitate Smart Wall construction, operations, and technology integration. More awards are expected in the coming months as part of the OBBB’s multi-phase border security initiative.

According to DHS, this new wave of construction represents “a turning point in US border infrastructure modernization,” aimed at balancing physical deterrence with digital surveillance to strengthen national security along the southwest border.