Rio Bravo International Bridge

Anticipated to open in March 2010, the Rio Bravo International Bridge crossing, a new gateway between the United States and Mexico, is expected to provide more jobs and opportunities for the Mid-Valley communities. Weslaco, being in the center of the Rio Grande Valley, is perfect for US operations for the many maquiladoras that operate in the Rio Bravo area in the state of Tamulipas. The state of Tamulipas is now the Mexican state with the most borders with the United States.

Pharr Bridge

Weslaco’s Industrial Park, in the center of the Rio Grande Valley, is just 20 minutes from the Pharr International Port of Entry. Importers, exporters, domestic and multinational manufacturing companies have found that using the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge as their port of entry as a great advantage to conduct their operations, and has transformed into profits due to the regions low cost of doing business. The bridge handles commercial vehicles as well as passenger-operated vehicles. The Pharr-Reynosa International bridge connects U.S. 281 to the city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, which is an important industrial city in northeastern Mexico, which has become one of the fastest growing cities in Latin America.

Crossings in 2008
Vehicles: 1,607,339
Trucks: 454,146

Progreso Port of Entry

Improvements are underway to remodel the main administration building at the Progreso Port of Entry in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The facility will support expanded immigration services and the inspection processes of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The brick, stucco, and galvanized metal building is the architectural centerpiece of an enhancement project that also includes support facilities, offices and the remodeled International Bridge that links Progreso with Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas. The bridge, completed last year, features covered walkways and four lanes to speed traffic both directions across the border. Construction of a separate commercial bridge on the east side for heave truck traffic is also in progress. The Port of Entry project is a collaborative effort between Marmon Mok and Structural Engineering Associates, both of San Antonio.

Source: Texas Architect, March/April 2004

Crossings in 2008
Pedestrians: 1,227,698
Vehicles: 1,096,571
Trucks: 22,041