The Trump administration’s ambitious border wall project in the Big Bend region is moving forward rapidly. With steel bollards already arriving and worker housing facilities under development, construction is expected to begin within weeks. This massive project, stretching approximately 175 miles and reaching 30 feet in height, aims to secure the border from Hudspeth County through Jeff Davis and Presidio counties to the western edge of Big Bend Ranch State Park.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that the installation of border wall panels for two key segments, Big Bend 1 in Hudspeth County and Big Bend 2 from Ruidosa to Presidio, is scheduled to commence in late summer or early fall. The agency has obtained voluntary Rights of Entry for Construction (ROE-C) agreements with some landowners, allowing immediate access to private property for surveys, appraisals, and construction activities.
Preparations Underway
Recent observations reveal significant preparations for the construction. A newly cleared plot of land south of Van Horn, Texasnear the entrance of Chispa Roadhas been identified as a potential staging site for the border wall. Multiple piles of what appear to be steel bollards were seen inside a gated lot, though CBP declined to confirm the site’s purpose. Similarly, local rancher Yolanda Alvarado shared a video of steel bollards stacked near an existing border wall segment near Fort Quitman, Texasan area that will be part of the planned wall route.
Construction Firms and Contracts
Three construction firms—Barnard ConstructionFisher Sand & Graveland Southwest Valley Constructors—have secured billions of dollars in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contracts for the border wall and related infrastructure. The largest contract, worth $2.6 billionwas awarded to Fisher Sand & Gravel for a project east of Big Bend National Park through Brewster, Terrell, and Val Verde counties. This contract covers vehicle barriers, surveillance technology, and a patrol road across 157 miles.
The contracting process has drawn scrutiny, with a rival border wall builder filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit alleges that the government awarded billions in contracts without providing genuine competitive opportunities.
Controversies and Local Tensions
The project has not been without controversy. Barnard Construction has faced tensions with local officials in Hudspeth County. The advocacy group No Big Bend Wall documented Barnard’s crews using a remote county road to the Rio Grande without permission. In response, Barnard is seeking a special-use permit from county commissioners, which is set to be considered in an upcoming meeting.
Additionally, Barnard is developing a man camp housing facility for construction workers in Lobo, south of Van Horn. Observations at the site revealed a mobile-home type building with Barnard’s company logo and signage referencing BBT-3the shorthand name for the Big Bend 3 project. This segment of the wall, which would run through the small town of Candelaria and across remote stretches of northwestern Presidio County, has not yet been publicly detailed by CBP.
As the construction of the border wall in the Big Bend region moves forward, the impact on local communities and the environment remains a significant concern. The project’s progress and the associated controversies will continue to be closely watched by residents, advocacy groups, and the broader public.