Laredo and Nuevo Laredo to Benefit from $24 Million World Trade Bridge Expansion

Victor Treviño, the mayor of Laredo, Texas, highlighted that the over 16,000 cargo units crossing daily between Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, and Laredo, Texas, will benefit from a more efficient international bridge with reduced waiting times, thanks to the expansion of the World Trade International Bridge III to 18 lanes.

Following a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C., Mayor Treviño explained that the project involves adding 10 lanes to the existing 8; two from north to south and eight from south to north. "We are very excited about this project because it will have a very positive impact on both sides of the border. We will accommodate more units, reduce truck queues, and work towards more efficient inspections, making us increasingly competitive."

This binational region is the busiest for commercial exchange between Mexico and the United States, with various types of goods crossing daily, from food and raw materials to manufactured products. The international bridge system of Laredo is part of the Port of Laredo, which reported over $78 billion in trade value in the first quarter of 2024, ranking first among the 450 U.S. ports of entry (airports, seaports, and land ports). "The Port of Laredo handles the largest amount of trade between both countries, with thousands of units from various regions crossing daily with numerous products. We have expressed our interest in improving this relationship; with the new lanes, we will set records in revenue collection," added Treviño.

With this exchange dynamic, the region is expected not only to have a more efficient commercial flow but also to attract more investment projects and boost nearshoring, along with job creation.

Before meeting with the U.S. President, Mayor Treviño also participated in a meeting with Mexican authorities, where they agreed to work together to expedite the necessary permits on the Mexican side, aiming to start the expansion project as soon as possible.

The estimated budget for the bridge expansion is currently $24 million, with construction expected to begin in 2026 and the operation of all 18 lanes to be completed a year later.