Bi-National Bill Advances World Trade Bridge Expansion

The Government of Tamaulipas and the Government of Laredo, Texas, announced a bipartisan bill to expedite the planned expansion of the World Trade International Bridge, aiming to streamline the permit process. The expansion is set to further integrate the border region shared by Tamaulipas and Texas.

During a press conference held on Jan. 4 in Texas, US government representatives revealed details about the International Bridge Permits Reform. Representatives from Tamaulipas joined US Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Henry Cuéllar in promoting legislative reforms that will expedite the expansion of border bridges, fostering economic and social cooperation.

Officials from Laredo, Texas, say that the planned expansion of the International Bridge of World Trade was boosted by a provision included in the National Defense Authorization Act for the Fiscal Year 2024. As a result, the US Department of State will have 60 days to advise the president on whether to issue the presidential permit. Subsequently, the president will have 60 days to act by the Department of State's recommendation.

The US government aims to invest US$25.9 million to expand the bridge. Meanwhile, the government of Tamaulipas stated that the Nuevo Laredo III Bridge Trust Fund has the resources for its part of this project. A crucial point of contention revolves around the number of lanes to be added to the bridge. While the Government of Tamaulipas envisions adding 10 additional lanes to the existing eight, the authorities of the City of Laredo are considering adding eight lanes, as previously reported by MBN.

Governor of Tamaulipas Américo Villareal says that the World Trade Bridge is the main route for land trade between Mexico and the United States, handling 41% of road trade and 54% rail trade between Tamaulipas and the United States. The changes to the permitting process are expected to prevent unnecessary construction delays at key bridges, including the World Trade Bridge and the Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge.

Victor Trevino, Mayor, Laredo, writes in Facebook that the new legislation has expedited the presidential permit process, particularly advancing the World Trade Bridge expansion project by over a year ahead of schedule. Trevino anticipates approval for the World Trade Bridge expansion as early as April 20, 2024.

Cruz adds that this legislation aims to streamline the permitting process for building new and expanded bridges across the Rio Grande in Brownsville, Laredo, and Eagle Pass, Texas.

Glenn Hamer, President and CEO, Texas Association of Business, noted the legislation's importance in facilitating the flow of over US$850 billion in goods between Mexico and the United States, with 81% passing through Texas. 

MBN previously reported that the Laredo Port of Entry processes the highest value of commercial goods across all ports of entry in the US. In June, exports through this port totaled US$61.82 billion, while imports were valued at US$97.62 billion, according to the US Census Bureau data. In 2022, 2.08 million loaded truck containers crossed the Laredo Port of Entry for cross-border trade, the highest number in the US.

According to a TxDOT report, the World Trade Bridge at the Laredo Port of Entry is the largest and only dedicated commercial crossing on the Texas-Mexico border. In 2022, the trade flow between Mexico and the US through Tamaulipas accounted for 42.0% of the national total by road, reaching US$266.9 million. This represented a growth of 17.0% compared to 2021 through the customs of Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa, Tamaulipas.