/ Modified apr 17, 2015 7:49 p.m.

McSally Questions Nogales Border Fence Repair Cost

Fixing flood damage on 60 feet of barrier cost $730,000, took five months to complete.

Congresswoman Martha McSally has asked federal officials to explain why repairs to the international border fence were so expensive and why they took so long to complete.

The Republican representative sent a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske this week saying the cost of the repairs to the fence were “of great concern.”

In July 2014, about 60 feet of the border fence east of Nogales, Ariz. was damaged by heavy flooding in the area.

“In regards to fencing, maintenance and repairs must be carried out in a manner that preserves the integrity of the barriers in order to protect our national security,” McSally wrote. “Unfortunately, reports surrounding the cleanup and repair of the fencing outside of Nogales indicate that it took approximately five months and $730,000 to complete the repairs.”

McSally asked Kerlikowske why the repairs were so costly, what process was used to award the repair contract and what security measures were in place to “ensure no illegal crossings were made through this vulnerability.”

She requested answers by May 14.

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