Reprint from the Progress Times - May 11, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Anzalduas Bridge To Begin Construction

By David Rodriguez

Construction on the much-anticipated Anzalduas International Bridge is set to begin in less than two weeks.

That was the announcement made at a joint press conference held Monday, May 7, by the mayors of Mission, McAllen and Hidalgo.

On Monday, McAllen city officials signed a contract to build the U.S. portion of the bridge as the GSA (General Services Administration) inked a contract to construct the customs facilities for the bridge.

The GSA contract was the last hurdle on the U.S. side in the complex process of permits, approvals and international agreements required before construction could begin.

A construction timeline and date for opening of the Anzalduas Bridge Crossing has finally been set.

With construction set to begin within this month, the project is expected to be completed in June 2009.

"We've been working hard for nine years now and I'm glad that it's finally here," said Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas. "This shows what working together as a region can accomplish. We wouldn't be celebrating today if we hadn't worked together."

McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez also praised the collaborative efforts of all involved.

"This is an exciting day for South Texas. This project is a culmination of a lot of hard work by many people," said Cortez. "We feel that it is going to benefit our economy for the entire region in trade and commerce with Mexico. I can hardly wait to use it myself."

"I can't tell you how important this bridge is especially right now when we're experiencing such a huge growth," said Carlos Garza, chairman of the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge. "As you know, we are getting more and more visitors from Mexico. So, this additional crossing will help shorten bridge crossing times and because of its connection to the western part of Reynosa, it will allow direct access to the autopista that connects Reynosa and Monterrey.”

The Anzalduas International Bridge Board, whose members are elected officials from McAllen, Hidalgo, Mission and Granjeno, has already received a construction permit from the International Boundary and Water Commission, a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and a diplomatic note from Mexico.

Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas serves as vice-chair of the bridge board.

According to local officials, the bridge, which comes at a cost of $48 million, will create hundreds of new jobs.

The U.S. portion of the bridge will be 9,200 feet of four-lane roadway—much of it elevated—which will connect with Mexico’s portion of the bridge near the middle of the Rio Grande.

The three-mile international bridge will be located south on Stewart Road in Mission.