Exploring International Connectivity: BTAC and TxDOT Gather in McAllen

McAllen, Texas, played host to the latest meeting of the Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC) along with representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The meeting covered various topics related to international infrastructure, logistics, and connectivity.

Through presentations by business leaders from Mexico and the United States, an open dialogue unfolded, featuring discussions involving international bridge administrators, mayors, consuls, officials from Texas, Rio Grande Valley (RGV), Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, and Coahuila.

The presence of international bridges between Texas and the Mexican border was highlighted as a growing strength, as well as expectations regarding nearshoring.

Discussions also touched on topics related to the first and last mile in logistic supply chains, updates on legislative issues impacting the industry, the significance of Route 83 in import and export processes, and the planning of new infrastructure projects leading up to 2050 that would benefit Texas and the stakeholders in international trade.

TxDOT Development Alliance

The meeting was presided over by Jane Nelson, Secretary of State and Chair of the Border Trade Advisory Committee, and Caroline A. Mays, Director of Planning and Programs at TxDOT. Sudan Harper, Consul General of Canada in Dallas; Sandra Shaddick, Consul General of Canada in Monterrey; Froylán Yescas Cedillo, Consul of Mexico in McAllen; Morgan LaMantia, Senator; and State Representatives Ryan Guillen, Sergio Muñoz Jr., Terry Canales, and Oscar Longoria were also in attendance.

The event was attended by notable figures such as Mayor Víctor Treviño from Laredo, and Javier Villalobos, Mayor of McAllen, the hosting city, as well as Judges Richard F. Cortéz from Hidalgo County and Eddie Treviño Jr. from Cameron County.

Sergio Vasquez, Coordinator of International Trade and Border Planning at TxDOT, provided recommendations for first and last-mile connectivity, while Wesley Starnes, State Legislative Affairs Advisor, covered legislative updates. Lorena Echeverría from Misi, a TxDOT manager, and Steve Linhart, Development Project Manager, discussed the US 83 corridor.

Giacomo Yaquinto, a TxDOT planner, spoke about connectivity and Texas projects heading towards 2050. Claudia Lagos Galindo, Manager of the International Trade and Border Planning Subdivision at TxDOT, detailed meetings held with Mexico to drive the economy and attract new investments.

Regional Infrastructure Investment

Eduardo Campirano from the Port of Brownsville, Pete Sepúlveda Jr. from Cameron County Bridge System, Luis Bazán from Pharr International Bridge, Juan Olaguibel from McAllen-Hidalgo-Anzalduas International Bridge, Sam Vale, President of Starr-Camargo Bridge, Andrew Canon from the Rio Grande Valley MPO, and Pete Alvarez, District Engineer at TxDOT in Pharr, all participated in discussions regarding investments and expansion projects in regional infrastructure in RGV.

Given the importance of international trade processes, a presentation highlighted the advantages and competencies of the Texas border states with Mexico, such as Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. Marco González Valdez, Secretary of Regional and Agricultural Development of Nuevo León; Claudio Bres Garza, Secretary of Economic Development of Coahuila; and Sergio Carlos Guajardo Castellanos, Director of Programs and Projects in Tamaulipas, all participated in this segment.