And as soon as it is in place, an array of forces, natural and man-made, will begin working to wear it down.
The long-term costs of maintaining hundreds of miles of additional barriers is largely unknown, and experts say it could put taxpayers on the hook for billions of dollars. The Trump administration has not said what the government expects to spend in coming decades on upkeep and repairs for the structure — which crosses remote deserts and Texas riverbanks where extreme weather is common and powerful smuggling organizations are relentless — or for its roadways and technology. Continue reading.