Pete Mendoza
Sofia Cantu Sauceda | The Rider Newspaper
The City of Brownsville and Cameron County held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the additional four Customs and Border Protection primary inspection lanes Wednesday on the Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates.
The bridge will also have eight additional secondary inspection bays and a new head house.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. said the improvements of the bridge will increase effectiveness and movement along the bridge.
“With the completion of this project, Veterans will now increase the capacity for passenger vehicles entering the U.S.,” Treviño said. “The new head house and enhanced security features will now allow CBP to operate the port of entry with more efficiency.”
He said the total cost of the project was $18 million and was possible because of Cameron County, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. General Services Administration, Texas Department of Transportation and Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn attended the ceremony and said the project was in its planning stage for eight years and was under construction for the last two.
He said the collaboration of the partnerships and the public made the project a success.
“The Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates connects Matamoros to Brownsville and provides a path to transport goods, services and visitors between the United States and our neighbor to the south,” Cornyn said. “This lane expansion will not only strengthen this important relationship, but could lead even greater economic prosperity for our two countries and our border communities.”
Brownsville Acting Port Director Michael Reyes said he was thankful for the hard work and wants to continue ensuring success and safety of the public and the economy.
“As we cut the ribbon, let us remember not only our mission, but also our continued commitment to the public to provide safe, efficient trade and travel between our two countries,” Reyes said. “Together, let us continue to charge forward embracing the promise of tomorrow with unwavering commitment and boundless enthusiasm.”
This is Pete Mendoza for Vaquero Radio.
