LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Raul Leal,

LAREDO – The Texas Department of Transportation will, once again, provide support and assistance during the 48-Hour Paisano Rest Stop Project (Programa Modulo Paisano) slated for Friday, December 17, 2010 at 12 p.m. to Sunday, December 19, 2010 at 12 p.m. on southbound Interstate Highway (IH) 35 at milepost marker #13. The Paisano project is sponsored by the City of Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) in collaboration with a multitude of federal, state, local US and Mexican government
agencies.

TxDOT will provide:

●    Approved use of TxDOT rest stop at milepost marker #13 along southbound IH 35,

●    Clean up of rest area at milepost marker #13,

●    Use of TxDOT-manned courtesy patrols to assist motorists in need,

●    Activation of dynamic (overhead) message signs (DMS) to convey timely messages along IH 35 at milepost marker #13, #10, #8, #4 and #2 in Laredo/Webb County, and DMS messages along key thoroughfares through San Antonio in Bexar County,

●    Activation of portable changeable message signs (CMS) to convey timely messages along IH 35 at milepost markers #40 in La Salle County, and milepost markers #26 and #16 in Webb County,

●    Activation of voice-recorded audio messages on TxDOT’s Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) stations, AM 1610 and AM 530, to be aired in north Laredo/Webb County, and

●    TxDOT TxTag trailer at Paisano Rest Stop during 48-hour rest stop to provide Paisanos and the traveling public with information and purchase of TxTag toll tag for use on toll roads in Texas including SH 255 (Camino Colombia Toll Road.) TxTags may also be purchased at the Laredo Travel Information Center located on IH 35 northbound at milepost marker #18.

●    Availability of TxDOT Laredo Travel Information Center (TIC) on IH 35 Northbound at milepost marker #18 where the public may use restrooms; view brochures, magazines and maps, free of charge. TV room is available to watch the latest headline news or to view videos of Texas cities. Free wi-fi wireless Internet connection for lap top computers. TxTags may also be purchased at this location. 

Laredo TIC contact information: (956) 417-4728 or (956) 417-4729. Travelers may also call 1-800-452-9292, TRV_TIC-Laredo@txdot.gov; Hours of Operation: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day. 

TxDOT Laredo District’s STRATIS (South Texas Regional Advanced Transportation Information System) will post DMS messages in Laredo. TxDOT San Antonio District’s TransGuide will assist by posting DMS messages in San Antonio. Both STRATIS and TransGuide are intelligent transportation system (ITS) centers with an intricate network of highway cameras and overhead message signs designed to monitor, inform and direct traffic as needed.

The Paisano Rest Stop Project provides Paisanos traveling from the U. S. to points south of the U.S.-Mexican border with information about Laredo shopping, restaurants, lodging and suggestions on how to make the crossing process smoother. The annual trek and mass influx of Paisanos passing through our border city takes place in mid-December after schools let out for the holidays. Many Paisanos are expected to return to the US through Laredo in January.