Temporary fixture set border fence in Andrade

Yuma--U.S. Border Patrol officials said they are still discussing the most innovative and most efficient way to repair the section of border fence which collapsed near the Algodones Port of Entry.

A chain link fence was placed alongside the border fence as a temporary fixture.

"That is not necessarily for border security but for the public safety as well," Agent Enrique Zarate, spokesman for U.S. Border Patrol Yuma Sector said. "But we do want to let the American public know that we have agents on scene. We deployed additional assets as well as technology."

They also added structural support along the border fence to prevent other sections from falling down.

"As engineers begin looking at the fence they're still in the assessment process as to how exactly is the best way to repair the fence," he said. "but as they're going thru that process they have not given us an estimated time or cost to rebuild that section of the fence."

Last month, a construction company was excavating near the fence which caused about 114 feet of border fence to topple over.

An anonymous source close to the project tells us they specifically warned the company to not to dig so close to the border fence but they went ahead anyway.

"At this time we have not seen an increase in activity in that particular area," Zarate said. "Normal traffic patterns of activity in that area still continue to be an issue there."

Multiple calls made to the Attorney General's Office of Mexico were not returned to confirm reports of charges against the construction company who excavated near the fence.

SEE VIDEO below

 Temporary Fixture Set At Collapsed Border Fence In Andrade

Border fence being repaired

August 01, 2012 8:30 PM

Construction crews are on the site where a 114-foot section of border fencing collapsed last month near Los Algodones, Baja Calif., and are in the process of reinforcing the existing fence near the damaged area. According to the Yuma Sector Border Patrol Public Affairs Office, the Army Corps of Engineers is assessing the damage and considering the most efficient and effective means of repair.
The 18-foot-tall section of steel fencing collapsed during earth-moving work on the Mexican side. Once engineers determine the best way to repair the wall, they will have a better idea how long it will take to complete the repairs. Security has been increased at the scene and will remain so until repairs are complete. You can see where they removed dirt right up to the fence on the Mexican side.

Andrade Border Fence Collapse

Work continues on section of collapse fence

ANDRADE, CA - Construction workers are making progress on the section of the U.S-Mexico border fence that collapsed last week near the Algodones Port of Entry.
Yuma Border Patrol officials say that workers were hired by U.S Army Corp of Engineers and have been working in clearing and rebuilding the damaged area.
They say they still have increased security in that specific section to make sure no illegal immigrants attempt to cross.
Border Patrol also says the investigation is on going and they are still estimating the damages and who will pay for them.

Section of border fence collapses near Algodones

July 25, 2012 9:38 PM

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FROM STAFF REPORTS

The U.S. Border Patrol has boosted surveillance in the area of Los Algodones, Baja Calif., until it can replace a 114-foot section of border fencing that collapsed during earth-moving work on the Mexican side.

The excavation work undermined the 18-foot-tall section of steel fencing about 8 p.m. Tuesday, causing it to collapse onto some of the earth-moving equipment used in the project, said Agent Spencer Tippets of the Border Patrol's Yuma Sector Public Affairs Office.

The section, located about a quarter-mile west of the U.S. Port of Entry in Andrade, Calif., is part of the network of fencing that stretches along the border throughout the sector to prevent illegal immigrants and drug smugglers from entering the country.

An investigation into the collapse is continuing, but Tippets said the Border Patrol so far has no reason to believe dirt was being moved as part of efforts to dig an underground smuggling tunnel such as those discovered in San Luis, Ariz., and elsewhere along the border.

“We have no idea what they were doing, or why they were excavating in that area,” Tippets said.

The fence, located about 13 feet inside U.S. territory, is made of heavy steel and is reinforced by footings buried underground, he said.

Police and municipal officials in neighboring Los Algodones did not respond to calls seeking information.

There were no injuries in the collapse of the fence, Tippets said.

Once it finishes its investigation, Tippets said, the Border Patrol will determine how to go about replacing the fallen section of the fence, which workers can repair without crossing to the Mexican side of the border.

In the meantime, he added, the patrol has beefed up security measures in the area to prevent illegal border crossings through the gap.

The added measures, he said, “will remain until the repairs are completed.”

Read more: http://www.yumasun.com/articles/border-80596-patrol-tippets.html#ixzz21qwGE9sY