First Mexican trucks expected this year under plan with extra safety measures.

Mexican trucks tracked by U.S.-funded electronic onboard recorders will begin crossing the border as early as August, Mexican officials say. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officials say the EOBRs and other new provisions will make this a safer program than the last one.

A Mexican embassy official forecast the first crossings for August or September, following an agreement signing in May or June, preceded by a 60-day plan consultation that includes the Teamsters, Congress and U.S. businesses.

When a final agreement is signed, Mexico will lift half of the $2.4 billion in tariffs that were imposed following the termination of the last program in 2009. It will remove the rest when the first participating Mexican carrier is granted operating authority.

On March 10, U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to justify buying EOBRs with Highway Trust Fund money. He also asked for clarification of how the program will comply with federal pilot program rules and cross-border trucking appropriations provisions.

In the pre-operational phase, FMCSA officials will review applicants’ vehicles and drivers, said FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro, addressing Truckload Carriers Association members last month. Carriers will be required to have U.S.-based insurance.

If a carrier meets U.S. safety standards, it will receive provisional authority to enter the United States, she said. The carrier will then receive 90 days of full inspections at border crossings, ending with a compliance review for full operating authority after 18 months of operation.