Contractor brief for President Trump's border wall calls for it to be 30 feet high, 'aesthetically pleasing' on U.S. side
Contractor brief for President Trump's border wall calls for it to be 30 feet high, 'aesthetically pleasing' on U.S. side
Sunland Park, N.M., is seen over the U.S. border fence. The brief for President Trump's wall calls for a far more imposing structure. (CHRISTIAN TORRES/AP)
If the U.S. Customs and Border Protection gets its way, President Trump's border wall will be tall, tough and human proof.
The federal agency charged with beefing up the nation's southern border on Friday night released its guidelines for hundreds of contractors vying to build Trump's campaign promise. The specifics are technical within reason, reflecting Trump's mission to restrict border crossings.
The bid calls for two types of proposals: a wall constructed of reinforced concrete and another with a "see-through component/capability." Ultimately, the wall will cut through at least 1,000 miles of mountains, desert and farms — possibly through eminent domain land grabs — bordering the southwest border in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
The government's wish list describes a wall that is "physically imposing in height" and towers at least 18 feet over Mexico, but contractors are urged to build higher.
"The Government's nominal concept is for a 30-foot high wall," according to Department of Homeland Security records.
Both walls will prevent people from climbing over, even with the help of ladders or grappling hooks, or tunneling under it. And if an ambitious traveler wants to breach the barrier, it should take them at least an hour to penetrate the wall with handheld tools such as sledgehammers or blowtorches.
The wall may be a dream-killer for those trekking through Central America and Mexico to reach the United States, but those gazing upon its stature from U.S. soil should expect a wall that blends in with the "surrounding environment."
Both walls will prevent people from climbing over, even with the help of ladders or grappling hooks, or tunneling under it. And if an ambitious traveler wants to breach the barrier, it should take them at least an hour to penetrate the wall with handheld tools such as sledgehammers or blowtorches.
The wall may be a dream-killer for those trekking through Central America and Mexico to reach the United States, but those gazing upon its stature from U.S. soil should expect a wall that blends in with the "surrounding environment."
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