New Texas-Mexico Border Lanes Speed Up Commercial Traffic
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers can now inspect more inbound trucks from Mexico at a border crossing into Texas since construction is complete on an $8 million project donated by the City of Pharr.
City leaders recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony with officials from CBP and the U.S. General Services Administration following completion of a northbound lane expansion and a second exit at the Pharr International Bridge. The city funded the project through CBP’s Donations Acceptance Program, which accepts government and private-sector donations of real estate, personal property and non-personal services.
“This DAP project adds two inbound commercial lanes and two exit booths, which greatly expands our overall capacity and throughput, enabling CBP to process an even larger volume of lawful commerce through the Pharr International Bridge,” Armando Taboada, assistant director of field and trade operations in the CBP’s Laredo Field Office, told Transport Topics.
During fiscal year 2023, CBP officers at the Laredo Field Office processed $283 billion in imports from Mexico, which included cargo from the Pharr bridge and the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
(Pharr International Bridge)
Each day, 2,000 trucks pass through the Pharr bridge, but that number is expected to climb due to the new infrastructure adding capacity for trucks from Mexico.
“As imports from Mexico continue to increase, having these additional spaces and improvements will have a significant positive impact on our ability to expedite shipments to get them into U.S. commerce,” said CBP Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, who is responsible for the Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas.
CBP officers inside the two new booths will be able to direct commercial traffic to a new Border Safety Inspection Facility expected to be completed within months.
(Pharr International Bridge)
Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez said the city has prioritized infrastructure improvements at the bridge crossing. Construction on the completed project began in 2020.
“Pharr’s collaboration with CBP and GSA through DAP expedited these projects, producing tangible solutions to critical needs and improving trade and productivity at our international port of entry,” Hernandez said. “Through innovative partnerships like DAP, we have enhanced cross-border movement and accommodated future growth at the Pharr International Bridge.”
The city reported trade statistics for the bridge on a year-to-date basis through June, amounting to $23.4 billion (up 0.55%). During that time frame, imports there climbed just over 7% to $15.6 billion. Highest value imports were:
- Avocados, dates, figs, pineapples — up 33% to $1.23 billion
- Strawberries and blueberries — up 6% to $918.6 million
- Insulated wire and cable — up 19% to $899.16 million
- TVs and computer monitors — down 9% to $707 million
- Medical instruments — up 2% to $692 million
Jason Shelton, GSA regional administrator, noted, “We are excited to reach this milestone in support of CBP’s mission at the Pharr [Land Port of Entry]. DAP projects require many years of hard work and today we are joyful and eager to continue delivering results that positively impact our stakeholders.”
The new commercial vehicle entry lanes and booths not only increase the capacity to handle more trucks from Mexico but also ensure efficient inspections for secure, certified and empty trucks, and bolster cargo deliveries.
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