President Trump’s “big, beautiful” border wall has taken another significant step toward becoming a reality with the debut of these eight new prototypes.
The samples — which measure between 18 and 30 feet high — will be tested to see which would fit best in Trump’s construction scheme, according to US Customs and Border Protection officials.
Four are made from concrete and the others are made with different materials. The non-concrete wall pieces will be used in areas where the barrier can be seen through, the officials said.
“We’re going to test it for breachability. For the subterranean aspect,” Roy Villareal, the Deputy Chief Patrol Agent of the San Diego Sector of CBP, told NBC News. “Can we dig under it? Can we cut through it? Can we scale over it?”
While Trump’s border plans continue to move along, it’s still unclear how the president plans to pay for everything.
The White House’s proposed budget next year seeks $1.8 billion for new sections to be placed where older ones previously existed. This money would also pay for more than 40 miles of new wall.
The only problem is, officials believe the project could cost between $8 and $12 billion — or maybe even higher.