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Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

The City of Laredo was joined by federal officials and Mexican counterparts to officially inaugurate the new inspection lanes at World Trade Bridge, which will help to reduce waiting times, facilitating trade and commerce for not only the United States and Mexico, but also, Latin America and beyond.  The World Trade Bridge U.S. Customs & Border Protection Inspection Station Expansion Project includes seven (7) new lanes with primary inspection booths for a total of fifteen (15) inspection lanes, two (2) new secondary inspection lanes, site improvements, including water and sewer connections, canopy and lighting, and an additional exit inspection booth.  World Trade Bridge Inspection Station Expansion Project funding sources include a total of $4,091,400 from the Texas Department of Transportation, including a TXDoT grant of $3,731.774 and a Transfer CIF of $359,626; $1.27 million from GSA; and $3 million from a 2008 City of Laredo Revenue Bond.  The project costs include engineering and design by FQR Architects, Inc. for $605,250, and another $99,300 for Carrillo & Assoc. Inc.  Construction cost was set at $4.62 million; total project costs were $5,324,550.

Celebrating the ribbon-cutting ceremony were (left to right) City of Laredo City Manager Carlos Villarreal; City of Laredo Dist. VI Council Member Charlie San Miguel; City of Laredo Council Member Jose A. Valdez, Jr.; Jim King, GSA; City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas; City of Nuevo Laredo Mayor Benjamin Galvan; Assistant City Manager Jose Olivares; David Aguilar, Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); Thomas S. Winkowski, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar; Ana Garcia, representing U.S. Senator John Cornyn; Webb County Judge Danny Valdez; Mexican Consul Miguel Angel Isidro; and CBP Port Director Gene Garza.