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Construction Begins On New Segment Of Border Fence

POSTED: 9:07 pm PDT September 15, 2008
UPDATED: 9:54 pm PDT September 15, 2008


JACUMBA, Calif. -- Construction is underway on a new section of fence along the U.S. Mexico border.

But, as Digital Correspondent, Rett Lawrence explains -- the tough economy may make completing the fence more challenging then expected.

Construction of the fence has begun along the border in the mountains of the East County.

Half of the 677-mile-long border fence between the U.S. and Mexico is already finished.

The army corps of engineers is now overseeing work on the second half.

"Our goal is to gain operational control of our borders," said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent, Alex Renteria.

He said extending the fence will help reach that goal.

"Our job is to protect the nation, protect the United States from terrorists, terrorist weapons, and illegal aliens from coming in illegally to the United States," Renteria said.

"The foot traffic through there was astronomical," said Bob Maupin.

Maupin has been building, and maintaining a fence on his property along the border for years. He told 10News the extension of the border road to facilitate building the border fence has brought a new problem to the area.

"The big concern for the Border Patrol is the fact that you can drive right around the end of that fence," Maupin said. Where the fence ends, there is a wide gap between the U.S. and Mexico.

Completion of the fence by year end may be in jeopardy due to rising costs of fuel and steel.

Neither Maupin, nor the Border Patrol wants to see construction come to a halt.

"People aren't going to just walk through these barriers anymore," Maupin said.

Until the fence is finished, Maupin said he will keep repairing his, and the border will be watched.

"We have eyes on it with our cameras, with our drones that we have that fly over the border, with our helicopters," Renteria said.

Along with those who live along the border.

The competition of the remaining 340-miles of fence is going to cost $400-million more than originally expected.

www.10news.com