Tijuana border crossing closed ahead of expected protests

All traffic heading into Mexico through the nation’s busiest border crossing was blocked Friday by the California Highway Patrol ahead of expected protests in Tijuana about pension laws, reports the Daily News wires.

Four CHP vehicles loaded with riot gear were parked across an empty southbound Golden State (5) Freeway at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, with no protesters immediately in sight.

Traffic heading south for Labor Day weekend is being diverted to a nearby border checkpoint at Otay Mesa, about 10 miles east, said to CHP Officer Terry Brollini.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have urged travelers to avoid the border crossings during the demonstration, because Mexican news reports that traffic could be snarled in both directions for up to six hours at San Ysidro.

About 30,000 pedestrians, 35,000 vehicles and 250 buses enter the U.S. each day at San Ysidro, making it the country’s busiest crossing by far.