WASHINGTON — U.S. transportation officials have reportedly conducted audits of about 25 percent of the 100 Mexican truck fleets handpicked to haul into the U.S. as part of a long-haul pilot project.

So far, DOT inspectors have inspected 27 firms in Mexico, reports Associate Press. Of those, all but three have satisfied the department’s safety and compliance standards, which include maintenance, hours-of-service, and drug and alcohol testing.

While none have been officially cleared to begin U.S. operations, officials expect the first clearances to be given by early next month.

Currently, Mexican truckers are restricted to a 20-mile commercial zone north of the U.S.-Mexico border, at which point they must transfer goods to U.S. carriers for transport to the rest of the country.

The pilot — endorsed by the American Trucking Associations, but opposed by union, special interest groups, and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association — also allows 100 select U.S. carriers access to the Mexican market.

Weeks ago, as the deadline for lifting the restriction neared, a provision to delay the pilot program was included as an amendment to a Senate bill funding military operations

Today House-Senate negotiators approved the bill, which will almost certainly vetoed by President Bush.

— with files from Associate Press