Workers install the final panel in an upgrade of 7.5 miles of border fence near Naco, May 9, 2017.
Work to replace almost eight miles of border fence near Naco has been completed, according to the Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector.
The final panel of an outdated stretch of fencing near the Naco Port of Entry in Cochise County was installed Tuesday.
It was part of $375 million the Obama administration put toward maintaining the border infrastructure.
“Plans for the replacement fencing began four years ago, and funding was approved last year as part of the 2016 fiscal budget,” said Customs and Border Protection spokesman Daniel Hernandez.
While the last replacement panel is now up, Hernandez said there is more to do.
“The overall project - which includes replacement fencing, road improvements and improvements to low-water crossings - is expected to be completed next month."
The new budget approved for Homeland Security earlier this month included around $500 million for the repair and replacement of border fencing but nothing for President Donald Trump’s promised 2,000-mile wall along the U.S.-Mexican.
In September, the Trump administration will likely try again to get Congress to fund a border wall.
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