Land Ports of Entry
We recognize the important role Land Ports have in our national safety and trade – they are vital to our future economy and security. The design of each Port needs to reflect the stability, security and authority of the United States. The HGA team specializes in balancing enduring design with resilient, operational facilities.
Design and Planning for Secure, Welcoming, 24/7 Operations
Our multidisciplinary architecture and engineering team has provided full planning and design services, as well as studies to support future designs and maintenance. For LPOE planning, our team works closely with GSA, CBP and associated agencies to seek fresh insight to create inspirational, technology forward and secure environments. It is important to create a building and site that provide the right spaces to support the wide variety of functions operating in the facility:
- Efficiency within the building means spaces that allow for smooth interaction with the public, and for comfortable, naturally lit staff workspace.
- An effective site design allows large and varying traffic volumes to efficiently move through the site 24/7, with the ability to seamlessly identify, screen, and inspect people and cargo. We work together to develop a deep understanding of the business and tourist traffic, including vehicular and pedestrian circulation – both of the existing facility and planned for the future.
Over the past 15 years, HGA has been working with the GSA to design and maintain numerous Land Ports of Entry along our northern border. Each project has incorporated the unique needs specific to location, site, visitors, and commercial traffic. Our team brings familiarity with GSA and CBP processes across the country – through the planning, design and construction phases, as well as an understanding of CBP’s operational processes for effective functioning of the completed LPOE facilities.
GSA, Derby Line Land Port of Entry
Situated on Interstate 91 just south of the Canadian border, this Land Port of Entry is a gateway for those entering the United States from Quebec, welcoming visitors while also providing state-of the art screening and security systems.
Learn MoreGSA, Calais Land Port of Entry, Predesign Study
The study for this existing Land Port included a comprehensive needs assessment and design alternatives. Traffic analysis indicated increased border traffic through the town, prompting site design improvements to accommodate efficient processing of projected traffic levels for local non commercial and tourist/vacation traveler traffic. The final preferred design recommendations were sensitive to preserving historic structures, while introducing site upgrades to provide additional inspection space, improve inspection lane flow, and accommodate adequate turning radii for larger recreational vehicles. This comprehensive planning allowed for accurate construction cost budgeting for the GSA to use in project planning.
GSA, Detroit River International Crossing, Predesign Study
HGA conducted a predesign study for a new Land Port of Entry, synthesizing conceptual traffic patterns outlined in the U.S. Customs and Borders Protection U.S. LPOE Design Standard. Component vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow studies included non-commercial (pedestrian, bicycle, bus, privately owned vehicles), commercial traffic flows, and outbound flows (pedestrian, bicycle, bus, privately owned vehicles, and commercial vehicles). Comprehensively, these system flows formed the basis for optimizing and coordinating operations of all agencies working within the new LPOE. Thorough planning and analysis of numerous options for selection provided the right basis to be developed in the future design and construction through the Design-Build delivery model.
Grand Portage Land Port of Entry
HGA worked closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and General Services Administration to update the Program of Requirements and outline the sustainability goals for the project. HGA assisted GSA with community engagement and supported conversations with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
For the planned, new Land Port of Entry in Grand Portage, Minnesota, HGA is preparing a Program Development Study (PDS) identifying a Preferred Alternative site plan, floor plan, and construction cost estimate.
GSA, CFM Inspection Services
CFM Close-out Inspection Services for Grand Portage LPOE, Baudette LPOE, Warroad LPOE, International Falls LPOE, Fergus Falls Edward J. Devitt US Courthouse & Federal Building, Bemidji Federal Building, Minneapolis Federal Office Building and SSA Building, Austin SSA Building.
The GSA engaged HGA to inspect the architectural, structural, mechanical/systems and electrical conditions at multiple border stations in Minnesota. Utilizing a GSA issued checklist, the team compiled results and made recommendations for areas in good or poor condition to help the GSA prioritize improvements as well as provide a means to document building assets and the interior/ exterior conditions of those assets.
