Reprint from the Progress Times - July 6, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Anzalduas project officially begins

Members of the Anzalduas Bridge Board, congressmen and local dignitaries gathered at the corner of FM 494 and Stewart Road Friday morning, June 29 to break ground on what will be one of the most massive construction projects undertaken in the Valley.

Carlos Garza, chairman of the Bridge Board, began the proceedings by inviting Father Francisco Castillo to give an invocation.

The mayors of Mission, McAllen and Granjeno, who also sit on the board were all in attendance and each took a moment to speak about the importance of the morning’s events.

"It’s going to be good for us in Mission to have this bridge," said Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas. "I will be glad to see the bridge cut the ribbon in 22 months."

Alberto Magallan, mayor of Granjeno, quickly thanked those in attendance for their hard work and dedication in bringing the project along.

McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez spoke about how the bridge will help the area compete in a competitive international economy.

"Our area is going to be home to over 2.6 million people on the north side of Mexico and the south side of us," said Cortez. "We need this bridge to help us. None of these can happen without leadership and it’s important how these leaders have worked together. I’m very happy to be working with three great people. Together we’re going to be able to be very competitive in this global economy. This is the end of one goal, but the beginning of the next one."

Those in attendance included Congressmen Ruben Hinojosa, Henry Cuellar, State Representative Veronica Gonzalez, Alfredo Gonzalez who represented the Tamaulipas government office as the secretary for Economic Development and Mayor of Reynosa Francisco Garcia Cabeza de Vaca.

The $48 million project is scheduled to be completed in 22 months from start to finish.