New Mexico, Texas, Chihuahua to Update Border Infrastructure
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New Mexico, Texas, Chihuahua to Update Border Infrastructure

Photo by:   Government of Chihuahua Press Release
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María José Goytia By María José Goytia | Journalist and Industry Analyst - Mon, 02/21/2022 - 11:13

In collaboration with the US Embassy in Mexico, the local governments of Chihuahua, New Mexico and Texas agreed on the creation of a binational group with the purpose of promoting infrastructure projects that will benefit both sides of the border. 

The group will be comprised by civil society actors, as well as federal and municipal authorities, which will propose infrastructure projects to improve connectivity between the border states. The infrastructure package seeks to attract part of the resources approved through US President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Act. The bill passed through the US Senate last November and will allocate US$1.2 billion for investment in public transportation, railroads, broadband and highways throughout the country.

The agreement was established during a working tour in Ciudad Juarez by the US Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar. The ambassador held meetings with different sectors as part of his activities surrounding the bicentennial anniversary of US-Mexico diplomatic relations.

María Eugenia Campos, Governor of Chihuahua, explained that the plan will detonate economic reactivation in the region and improve the quality of life of inhabitants on both sides of the border, in line with some of the main priorities of both countries.

"We are at a historic point in time to generate an alliance. We have the opportunity to gather civil society, different levels of government, higher education and our neighboring country, to work together and magnify efforts to boost economic recovery at the border,” said Campos.

The infrastructure projects will aim to optimize commercial corridors, create a logistical hub in Ciudad Juarez, as well as to interconnect railroads and highways to improve cross-border transportation. All this investment will generate a strong economic spillover effect in the area, which is one of Mexico’s busiest regions regarding crossings of people and merchandise.

Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, who also attended the visit, mentioned that the new US Infrastructure Act offers the opportunity to finally improve the border’s points of entry, which are important for economic development and for the well-being of families that cross the border daily.

Concrete investment figures and infrastructure projects remain to be defined. The binational group is expected to meet again with an initial investment plan in 60 days, when Ambassador Salazar visits Ciudad Juarez once more to take note of the priority projects. He will then assess which ones qualify to receive financing from funds created via the recently enacted Act for the Construction of Binational Infrastructure. 

Photo by:   Government of Chihuahua Press Release

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