Sometimes the most ambitious dreams are the ones most worth pursuing. Ten years ago, the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) opened its doors, transforming what skeptics called an "impossible dream" into a thriving reality that has revolutionized travel between the United States and Mexico.

The story of CBX is one of persistence, innovation, and international cooperation. After the events of September 11, 2001, serious conversations began about creating a binational airport solution for San Diego and Tijuana. The geography seemed almost designed for it. Tijuana International Airport sits right at the border, so close that pilots must make a sharp left turn to avoid crossing into U.S. airspace. Meanwhile, San Diego International Airport, just 24.7 miles north, had become the busiest single-runway airport in the country with nowhere to expand, hemmed in by the city and bay.

For years, entrepreneurs and visionaries on both sides of the border refused to give up on the idea. Businessmen like Ralph Nieders, civic leader Malin Burnham, and Mexican economist Luis De La Calle championed the concept. Their determination kept the dream alive even when previous attempts, like the Twin Ports project, fell through due to financing and land acquisition challenges.

The breakthrough came in August 2010 when developers successfully acquired land on the San Diego side and obtained the crucial presidential permits from both governments. The project brought together an impressive coalition, including Guadalajara-based Grupo Aeroportuario Pacifico (GAP), which operates a dozen Mexican airports, along with strategic partners Eduardo Sanchez-Navarro, Carlos Laviada Ocejo, his wife Laura Díez Barroso Azcárraga, and Sam Zell of Chicago-based Equity Group Investments.

One of the most significant hurdles involved funding the estimated $8 million annual budget for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Thanks to the leadership of Alan Bersin, who served in multiple border-related roles including Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, an agreement was reached that allowed the project to move forward.

Construction began in June 2014, with the late architect Ricardo Legorreta designing the distinctive terminal. The project required special arrangements to build a bridge that would literally cross international borders, connecting the San Diego terminal to Tijuana International Airport.

The Ripple Effect

The success of CBX has created waves of positive change throughout the region. Travelers can now walk across an international border in minutes, making their journey seamless and efficient. The facility has strengthened economic ties between San Diego and Tijuana, demonstrating that cooperation between nations can create solutions that benefit everyone involved.

What makes this story particularly heartening is how it proves that with enough vision, determination, and willingness to work together across borders and barriers, even the most impossible dreams can become reality. The Cross Border Xpress stands as a physical monument to what's possible when people refuse to accept "impossible" as an answer.

As CBX celebrates its tenth anniversary, it serves as an inspiring reminder that today's impossible dreams might just be tomorrow's remarkable achievements.