New U.S. Law Accelerates Border Bridge Projects

Construction could start as early as April, with the World Trade Bridge in Laredo among those targeted for expansion.

A new U.S. law expedites the expansion and creation of several international bridges between the U.S. and Mexico, with construction potentially starting as early as April.
The law applies to three counties in South Texas and allows for the construction of new international bridges and expansion projects of existing bridges to begin while environmental studies are being conducted.
The U.S. State Department must make its recommendation to the White House on pending bridge projects within 60 days, after which President Biden has another 60 days to approve or deny construction permits.
The World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas, which handles nearly 40% of all incoming trade with Mexico, is among the bridges targeted for expansion.
Mexico has pledged to spend $800 million to install the same high-tech non-intrusive port surveillance systems that the U.S. uses at its border crossings to improve border security.