Suddenly, the Mexican border looks outdated.

Success of the "fast lane" border policies between the U.S. and Canada has U.S. officials looking south. U.S. and Mexican border officials are finalizing an agreement to create a fast lane policy to ease mounting delays since Sept. 11. Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge is calling for a new plan that would use technology to prescreen cargo and people in factories, rail yards and seaports, giving them a "fast lane" across the border.

"Once you've got the no-risk and the low-risk set aside, then you can direct your human and your technology resources to the cargo and the people that you know nothing about," Ridge said in a recent report. Ridge also said he will continue to push for consolidating agencies that manage the border including customs and immigration services, despite strong opposition in Washington.

President Bush is scheduled to continue discussions on the border security plan with Mexican President Vincente Fox during a U.N. International Conference.

dhannon@cahners.com