Installation of Big Bend border wall set for August in Texas

By Robert Matteson
The Center Square

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is preparing to begin border wall panel installation in Texas’ Big Bend region, part of which borders Big Bend Ranch State Park, in August.

“We’ve been ordered to do it by [President Donald Trump’s] executive order, as well as the funding and appropriations under the One Big Beautiful Bill. The priority is to do the entire border,” John Mennell, spokesperson for CBP, told The Center Square.

The projects along the U.S.-Mexico border remain in the planning stages, according to CBP.

“While there are priorities for new border wall and detection technology in USBP’s Big Bend Sector, the combination of barriers, roads and technology (cameras, infrared illuminators, and other detection technology) in the areas adjacent to the Big Bend National Park and State Park are still in the planning stages,” Hilton Beckham, CBP spokesperson, told The Center Square, answering questions via email. “CBP continues to coordinate with the National Park Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and other federal and state agencies, throughout the planning of border barrier and technology deployments, in order to achieve Border Patrol’s operational priorities.”

The Big Bend project is split into five sections and will consist of border wall construction, as well as additional coverage of patrol roads, technology and vehicle barriers. CBP has already granted about $7.5 billion for border security in the Big Bend region, according to usspending.gov.

“CBP is utilizing the $46.5 billion from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to construct a Smart Wall, which includes a steel bollard wall, along with roads, detection technology, cameras, lighting and in some cases waterborne barrier or a secondary wall – creating a double layer barrier. The Smart Wall provides Border Patrol with both the impedance and denial, domain awareness and the access and mobility required to secure the border,” Mennell said, answering The Center Square’s questions by email.

“Big Bend 1” will be 47.4 miles of a primary border wall system in Hudspeth County. Wall panel installation for BB1 is anticipated to begin in September, according to Beckham. Big Bend 3 will be 56.3 miles of primary border wall system in Presidio County. Construction for BB3 is anticipated to begin in August. Big Bend 2, which borders Big Bend Ranch State Park at its western end, will be 68.2 miles of primary border wall system and is also in Presidio County.

Construction for BB2 is expected to begin in September.

Big Bend 1, 2 and 3 combine to produce a 171.9-mile border wall.

Big Bend 4, which borders much of Big Bend National Park, will have patrol roads and technology implemented but no border wall, according to the CBP Smart Wall Map. There will be 17 miles of vehicle barriers.

There will be additional segments of BB4 along Big Bend National Park and Big Bend 5 that will have a vehicle barrier, totalling 173.6 miles, but not consisting of the primary border wall system. BB4 will be 17 miles long and occupy Alpine AOR, and BB5 will be 156.6 miles long and occupy Alpine, Sanderson and Comstock AORs.

As part of BB2, the wall will be attached to Big Bend Ranch State Park in two areas. The wall will be built along the base of the park, near the Rio Grande River, in parts that are not considered high recreational areas, according to Mennell.

“CBP is not planning to construct a 30-foot-high barrier in Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park or the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area. In locations where minimal barrier may be adjacent to parks, we are actively coordinating with park officials to ensure the alignment does not impede recreational access or activities,” Beckham said.

The Center Square previously reported that more than 130 groups have called on Congress to cut funding for the border wall in the Big Bend region. The No Big Bend Wall community coalition cited the Big Bend sector as being the largest sector by geography while having the lowest illegal crossing volume.

“CBP has been conducting outreach in the Big Bend Sector with the public, local officials, state agencies, and law enforcement,” Beckham said. “CBP is actively seeking input for the vehicle barrier system project located in Brewster County. In addition to mailing letters to impacted landowners, state/local elected officials, federal agencies, and tribes, CBP issued a media release to invite the public to participate in the review and comment process, which is open until July 13, 2026.”

Opposition to the wall stems from a wide range of issues put forth by county sheriffs, judges and residents related to geography, wildlife and private property. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said eminent domain will be used if necessary, The Center Square reported.

“For wildlife areas, U.S. Customs and Border Protection coordinates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other stakeholders to minimize impacts to wildlife and sensitive habitats, while still meeting operational requirements,” Mennell said. “Wildlife passages have been part of border wall designs since 2007, and CBP will continue collaborating on their placement. Drainage gates in the barrier can be left open to allow large animal movement when operational conditions permit.”

One company responsible for building the wall, Fisher Sand & Gravel, has a history of scandals including prison sentences for Fisher family members for tax fraud and possession of child pornography, The Center Square previously reported. CBP previously granted Fisher Sand & Gravel $1.2 billion to construct BB2. CBP also granted Fisher Sand & Gravel $2.6 billion to construct BB5 in early June, according to usspending.gov.

“Contract awards are based on the contractor’s qualifications to perform the work in a timely manner and at prices deemed fair and reasonable,” Beckham said.

Fisher Sand & Gravel is one of three companies under contract to secure the border in the Big Bend region. Barnard Construction Co. was granted $1 billion in March to work on BB1 and $960 million in March to construct BB3. Southwest Valley Constructors was granted $1.7 billion to work on BB4 in May.