Laredo Advances New Infrastructure to Support 17,000 Daily Freight Crossings with Mexico

With approximately 17,000 freight crossings each day, Laredo remains a strategic hub for trade among Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The continued growth of cross-border operations is driving a new phase for the region, in which strengthening logistics infrastructure will be essential to meet emerging supply chain needs and maintain the competitiveness of the leading land port between Mexico and the United States.

During the Port Laredo Global Trade Summit, Jose D. Martinez, President of the Laredo Licensed U.S. Customs Brokers Association (LLUSCBA), emphasized that the evolution of cross-border trade requires continued investment in roadways, strategic connections, and operational capacity to support the expansion of companies throughout the region.

“We need a larger Mines Road, more connections to I-35, and more exits from the industrial parks. We are talking about a very large number of trucks crossing every day, which is why we need more lanes,” he explained.

According to the customs industry representative, maintaining Laredo’s competitiveness requires projects that facilitate the movement of goods from industrial parks to international crossings, while also strengthening access to the main commercial corridors in the United States.

Colombia Bridge Expansion Strengthens Cross-Border Trade

As part of this logistics transformation, the Colombia Bridge represents an opportunity to better distribute the growth of trade between Mexico and the United States. Martinez noted that expanding operations at this port could advance through greater participation by Mexican customs brokers with authorization to operate in Colombia, helping attract more business to this border crossing.

“If more customs brokers from here also held licenses to operate there, Colombia would have more business. For us in the United States, it is the same port,” he said.

The LLUSCBA president explained that many customs brokers must currently choose which ports to operate at because of restrictions associated with their licenses. Greater participation in Colombia could therefore strengthen the port’s growth.

Logistics Coordination and Industrial Infrastructure Support New Investment

The growth of trade also requires close collaboration among the different stakeholders involved in the logistics chain. Martinez highlighted the ongoing coordination with transportation and logistics associations, organizations in Nuevo Laredo and Colombia, and customs authorities from both countries.

“Every month, we meet to review what is happening at the bridges and determine how we can help increase crossings and improve traffic flow,” he said.

He added that Laredo has the support of the State of Texas, although the region’s continued growth requires further efforts to communicate the strategic importance of the land port to all levels of government.

In addition to cross-border connectivity, Laredo has expanded its industrial infrastructure capacity to accommodate new investment. Martinez explained that the industrial real estate market has evolved significantly in recent decades. While a 50,000-square-foot facility was considered large in the 1980s and 1990s, developments today can reach up to 800,000 square feet.

This expansion allows companies to find industrial spaces tailored to their needs, with access to electricity, water, connectivity, and other essential services required to establish new operations.

“We have the warehouses, we have the services, and we have what incoming companies need,” he said.

With its strategic location in North America, Laredo, Texas, continues to strengthen its capabilities to support the region’s industrial and commercial growth, consolidating its role as a key hub in the economic integration of Mexico and the United States.