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5/13/2021
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) yesterday unveiled a $46 million initiative that will replace aging rail scanning systems at 12 rail ports of entry on the U.S. southern and northern land borders.
The new, high-energy rail scanners use linear accelerators to generate X-rays from electricity rather than radioactive isotopes, producing high-quality images that support faster and more secure cargo inspections, CBP officials said in a press release.
CBP will install the new scanning equipment at the following locations, which process about 60% of the rail cargo imported into the United States: Blaine, Washington; Brownsville, Eagle Pass and El Paso (both at BNSF Railway Co. and Union Pacific Railroad), Texas; Buffalo and Rouses Point, New York; Calexico, California; Eastport, Idaho; International Falls/Ranier, Minnesota; Nogales, Arizona; and Portal, North Dakota.
The installation and testing of the new scanners is expected to begin in fall. The equipment will increase the efficiency of commercial rail inspections, CBP officials said.