LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Arturo Olivarez,

LAREDO, TX –  U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, secured $15 million in the FY24 Homeland Security funding bill to expand Laredo’s Border Patrol Checkpoint 29 on Interstate 35, a frequent point of traffic delays. The FY24 Homeland Security funding bill was supported by the National Border Patrol Council.

“The current conditions at Checkpoint 29 in Laredo are unsustainable for Border Patrol and the public. Due to the small number of inspection lanes, excessive delays and accidents are common, jeopardizing public safety,” said Ranking Member Cuellar. “As the top Democrat overseeing the Department of Homeland Security’s budget, I worked to address this concern for my constituents during this year’s government funding process. I am pleased that $15 million has been secured to begin the first phase to expand Checkpoint 29, which will strengthen international commerce, improve public safety, and reduce drug and human trafficking in South Texas.”

This funding will begin the first phase of a long-term expansion project to address congestion at the checkpoint by adding one passenger vehicle inspection lane, which will nearly triple the commercial vehicle inspection capacity. The funding will also be used for the planning and design phase of a long-term expansion, which eventually hopes to add an additional nine passenger lanes.