Progress Report: International Bridge Anzalduas Expansion Project Advances

Senators from the United States, commissioners, and authorities from McAllen, Texas, along with binational leaders gathered near the International Bridge Anzalduas to discuss the progress of the bridge's expansion project and analyze future growth plans for cross-border trade processes.

The legislators' participation was crucial for discussing initiatives aimed at improving the road structure and following up on strategies to ensure funding to expedite commercial exchange processes.

The meeting was led by the international bridge system of McAllen, Hidalgo, and Anzalduas, through the city of McAllen.

The primary objective of the International Bridge Anzalduas expansion project is to allow the crossing of dry cargo units in both directions. Currently, the project is 42% complete, and the estimated opening date remains February 2025. "The construction is progressing very well; we want companies to see us as their first choice. We have the support of senators and commissioners to keep this project competitive as a region," detailed Juan Olaguibel, superintendent of international bridges.

Nearshoring was another central aspect of the authorities' dialogue, who recognized the importance of incentivizing projects to generate opportunities in other sectors, such as industrial, logistics, and real estate, through the creation of industrial parks. "Working together, we can definitely achieve economic development opportunities. International infrastructure is one of our great competitive advantages, which is why the presence of senators and commissioners for the management of new resources is so important," commented McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos.

Senators Robert Nichols and Chuy Hinojosa, Ana García, regional director of the Texas Senate for John Cornyn, as well as McAllen commissioners Victor Haddad, Tony Aguirre, Rodolfo Castillo, and Pepe Cabeza de Vaca, pledged to maintain an open communication channel and follow-up for resource management.

Other relevant participants included Carlos Rodríguez, director of CBP Hidalgo, Jim Darling, vice president of external affairs for the Texas Economic Development Corporation, Pedro Alvarez, engineer from the Pharr district at the Texas Department of Transportation, and Julian Gonzalez, city manager of Hidalgo, Texas. Additionally, from the business sector, Mantín Anzaldúa from Grupo Río San Juan and Joaquín Spamer, president of Grupo CIL, highlighted the collaboration of all productive and governmental sectors.