Expansion of the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas Strengthens Border Commerce

The city of Laredo, Texas, hosted a binational meeting with representatives of the Tamaulipas Ministry of Economy, Mayor Victor Treviño, and Eduardo A. Garza Robles, President of COMCE Northeast Chapter Laredo, to review progress on the World Trade Bridge expansion project.

The expansion includes eight new toll booths, eight additional northbound lanes, the addition of two more lanes on the existing structure, and four new CBP “Multi-Energy” portals, among other improvements. In addition, the Government of Tamaulipas is working to complete construction on the Libramiento Mex II, representing a total combined investment of more than MXN 1.4 billion.

During the presentation by Sid Mielke, Senior Project Manager at S&B Infrastructure (SEA), and René Salinas of SUMA Proyectos, it was reported that in 2024 trade between Mexico and the United States reached USD 840 billion, consolidating Mexico as the United States’ top trading partner. Of that total, the Laredo border port processed USD 339 billion, remaining the number one crossing in value of goods for the second consecutive year.

For Ninfa Cantú Deándar, Secretary of Economy of Tamaulipas, the project symbolizes the shared will to strengthen competitiveness, economic integration, and bilateral cooperation. “The expansion of this bridge is a key decision to accelerate trade flows, reduce logistics times, and provide certainty and efficiency to thousands of companies that cross this border every day,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Eduardo A. Garza Robles, President of COMCE Northeast Chapter Laredo and President of Grupo Uni-Trade, stressed the importance of institutional and business unity for the success of the project:

“Supporting this project is essential. I am pleased to see everyone united, because only in this way can we move forward with projects and the development of our region. International trade requires modern infrastructure, and this shared effort is the best example of what we can achieve together.”

The work schedule foresees bidding processes taking place in 2026, with the goal of having both bridges fully operational by 2028, offering greater agility, security, and competitiveness for North American trade.

Also attending the meeting were Carlos Irán Ramírez, Undersecretary of Investment, Funds and Trusts of the Tamaulipas Ministry of Finance; Juan Carlos Mendoza, Consul General of Mexico in Laredo; Elsa Hinojosa, Director of the Laredo Bridge System; along with private sector representatives and local authorities.