b'2American Journal ofTransportation ajot.comBridges to success: Port Laredo expandsUSMCA TRADE 2025commercial bridge connections to MexicoBy Pete Goldin, AJOTInfrastructure is a key tothat,throughstrategicplan-Port Laredos rise to becom- ningandjointinvestment, ingthe#1portin America.hastransformedaregion Inrecentyears,Laredohasintoagloballogisticspow-obtainedfivePresidentialerhouse, says Laredo Mayor Permits issued by PresidentsDr. Victor Trevio.BidenandTrump,layinga foundationforevengreaterO ttensmeyerI nternatIOnaltrade growth. Two of the per- r aIlwayB rIdgemits were received last year,APresidentialPermit and two more were receivedissued in 2020 enabled Laredo in June 2025. to build the Patrick J. Ottens-ThatsthemostevermeyerInternationalRailway approvedforasingleregionBridge,anew$100million ontheUS-Mexicoborder,(EXPANDScontinued on states US Congressman Henrypage 4) The World Trade Bridge is the busiest commercial border crossing in the Western Hemisphere.Cuellar of Texas. A Presiden-tial Permit is required to build aninternationalbridgeoverEXPERT LOGISTICS watercrossingtheborderof the US with Mexico.ON DEMANDANYWHERE. ANYTIME. ON TIME. Congressman Henry CuellarEach bridge will be essen-tialtoPortLaredosmission to continue making US trade with Mexico easier and more efficient.w Orldt radeB rIdgeInauguratedin2000,the World Trade Bridge is a vital commercialgatewaythatis nowthebusiestcommercial border crossing in the Western Hemisphere. The bridge pro-cesses nearly 40% of all trade between the US and Mexico, according to the Laredo Cham-ber of Commerce.Duetocongestionfrom theincreasingtraffic,in May 2024 Laredo received a Presidential Permit to expand the World Trade Bridge. The expansionprojectincludes theconstructionofanew eight-lanebridgededicated tonorthboundcommercial traffic, along with additional lanesontheexistingbridge for southbound traffic. The $24.1 million project will enhance traffic flow, reduce congestion,andstrengthenthe ports capacity to support the growing demands of US-Mex-ico trade. Construction on the WorldTradeBridgeexpan- CONTACT USsion is expected to begin in Summer 2026.1000 Foust Road Brownsville, TX 78521Thisbridge,whichis+1 (956) 831-4592the anchor of our port, repre- www.portofbrownsville.comsents the shared vision of two nationsandtwosistercities'