Arizona’s new $134 million highway project aims to boost international trade

The project is designed to enhance international trade coming through the Nogales-Mariposa port of entry.

The Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales totaled $26.2 billion in trade during 2019, with Mexico its largest trading partner. Image: Customs and Border Protection

Arizona officials recently broke ground on a project to improve mobility and safety on a 3.75-mile stretch of highway near the United States-Mexico border.

The project is aimed at increasing international trade coming through the Nogales-Mariposa port of entry by linking the port and Interstate 19, according to a release.

“We know that better roads mean a better future for Arizona,” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said in a release. “The improvements along State Route 189 will improve safety, enhance trade and foster an even stronger relationship with our neighbors in Mexico.”

Around 2,000 trucks a day use SR 189, and the improvements could save more than 10 minutes per northbound truck, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation

“This is huge for systems savings. It reduces emissions and makes the whole supply chain more efficient,” said Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Nogales-based Fresh Produce Association of the Americas. “This project reduces transit time from the port of entry to local warehouses, giving companies a valuable incentive to locate their operations in Nogales.”  

The Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales totaled $26.2 billion in trade during 2019, according to WorldCity Inc.

Mexico was the port’s top trading partner during all of 2019, accounting for 97% of total trade ($26 billion). China and France were the port’s second- and third-largest trading partners, accounting for $185 million and $172 million in total trade, respectively. 

Some of the top commodities that pass through the Port of Mariposa include motor vehicles ($3.2 billion); insulated wire and cable ($1.2 billion); peppers, squash and asparagus ($1 billion); grapes ($589 million); tomatoes ($578 million); medical instruments, ($515 million); and beer ($461 million).

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

Noi Mahoney

Noi Mahoney is a Texas-based journalist who covers cross-border trade, logistics and supply chains for FreightWaves. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English in 1998. Mahoney has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working for newspapers in Maryland and Texas. Contact nmahoney@freightwaves.com