SAN DIEGO (CBS) — A groundbreaking ceremony was held late Thursday to expand the world’s busiest land border crossing.

KNX 1070′s Tom Reopelle reports when the San Ysidro border crossing expansion is completed, the number of lanes going south into Tijuana will double into a dozen.

Once the project is completed, the number of northbound lanes will increase from 24 to 63, along with new secondary and pedestrian areas.

Senator Barbara Boxer was among the public officials who attended the ceremony.

Boxer says taxpayers can expect improved safety and efficiency once the expansion is finished, along with a better ability to process trade, commerce and people.

Officials expect the project to be completed by 2016.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)