b'6American Journal ofTransportation ajot.com(LAREDOcontinued from page 4) sized exporters who rely on precision and USDA- (EXPANDScontinued from page 4)locally, but also collaboratively at the federal andcompliant handling. and adjacent to the existing bridge.state level on both sides of the border. When the USOncemalignedasabridgetonowhere, and Mexico inspect products at the same time, it nots marts hOrIng Colombia Solidarity Bridge has become an impor-only saves on inspection time, but accelerates theThe region is ideal for near shoring, and the CitytantcomponentofPortLaredoandnowcarries entire supply chain. ofLaredolauncheditsnewSmartshoringpro- more than 3,000 commercial trucks per day.gram this year. The objective is to support advancedTheColombiaSolidarityBridgeranksasthe K eepIngC OOl manufacturing at Americas doorstep by partneringthirdbusiestinthesouthwestUS,explainsCon-Another reason behind the rise of Port Laredo iswith Mexican supply chains.gressman Cuellar. The Colombia expansion includes the ports position as a top U.S. hub for cold chainThrough strategic alliances with Nuevo Len,new southbound and northbound commercial bridge logistics across the US-Mexico border, with moreTamaulipas, and Quertaro, Port Laredo is layingspans, allowing the existing bridge to handle FAST than1,000refrigeratedtruckloadsprocessedeachthe groundwork for a bi-national production zone,commercial vehicles and oversized traffic. It will also month. ThisismadepossiblebycombiningPortwhere design, talent, logistics, and inspection oper- create dedicated lanes for non-commercial vehicles Laredos bi-national inspection model with world- ate seamlessly across borders, Romero explains. and buses, streamlining traffic flow and moderniz-class cold chain infrastructure and strict cold chainLaredo is promoting near shoring by designat- ing one of the most critical ports on the US-Mexico customs protocols. Products processed through Porting international bridges specifically for commercialborder. The project also includes expanded border Laredos cold chain facilities include produce, meat,traffic and focusing on the roads and connectivityinspection booths and fortified security.dairy, and even pharmaceuticals and biotech.to alleviate traffic congestion and expedite the mer- TheCongressmanadds,Byexpandingthe PortLaredooperatesthreetemperature-con- chandise that will be sent across the country, Mayorbridge from 8 lanes to 16 lanes, this project will trolled inspection facilities across its commercialTrevio adds. We are also encouraging companiesimprove our supply chain, reduce congestion, and bridges. These allow trucks to dock directly intoto build warehouses on the American side to supportprovide economic growth. climate-regulated bays without breaking the coldthe near shoring supply chain.chain during inspections by CBP, FDA or USDA.Port Laredo Trade Center is just one exampleg reenC OrrIdOrsThis eliminates exposure to external temperatures,of the expanding logistics facilities in the region.On June 9, 2025, a Presidential Permit was issued ensuringcompliancewithnationalandinterna- ThisnewindustrialparkinnorthLaredo,whichfor the Green Corridors Intelligent Freight Transpor-tional standards. commenced construction in January 2025, will fea- tation System (IFTS), the most progressive of Port Through a partnership between CBP and SAT,ture three state-of-the-art buildings across 70 acres,Laredos recent bridge expansions which could revo-Port Laredo operates three joint inspection pointscollectively offering 932,600 square feet of premierlutionize how freight moves across the border. including one embedded inside a state-of-the-artindustrial space.Green Corridors is public-private logistics ini-cold storage facility, demonstrating a level of cross- Building sizes range from 181,560 to 414,080tiative to construct, maintain and operate a cross-border integration that is rare in global trade. square feet, providing scalable solutions for logis- border IFTS linking Laredo, Texas with Monterrey, Maintaining an unbroken cold chain is not atics,distributionandmanufacturing.StrategicallyMexico. The system is designed to alleviate traffic luxury. Its an economic and public health impera- located within the Port Laredo Industrial Park, thecongestion at the port of entry and in both cities tive, says Kent Richard, Assistant Bridge Direc- propertyoffersdirectaccesstoI-35,theUnionwhile significantly improving security.tor for City of Laredo. Were talking about freshPacific Intermodal Center, and is only a few milesGreen Corridors is a 165-mile elevated guide-produce,pharmaceuticals,seafood,andvaccines.from Laredos World Trade Bridge. waythatseparatescommercialfreightfrompas-Theres no margin for error. As trade evolves with electric fleets, autono- senger vehicles. It will utilize a fleet of high-speed Richardadds,PortLaredohelpseliminatemousvehicles,andreal-timemonitoring,Portautonomous shuttles to create a nonstop transit route spoilage, extend product lifespan, and ensure qual- Laredo is adapting fast, Kent Richard concludes.forfreight.Cargowillbeprocessedataninland ity delivery across the continent. Thats why weveWe plan to lead North American trade for the nextterminal and cleared by customs prior to traveling become the preferred gateway for small and mid- 25 years and beyond. (EXPANDScontinued on page 10)NEW, IMPROVEDAND READY TO MOVEThe Port of Corpus Christi has completed its historic channel improvement project, making way for bigger vesselsand even bigger opportunities. The Corpus Christi Ship Channel has now been deepened to 54 and widened to optimize safe and efficient waterway commerce. With world-class access and connectivity, the Port of Corpus Christican now handle larger ships transporting crude oil, refined fuels,dry bulk, breakbulk, project cargo, containers and beyond.Less congestion. More efficiency. Greater cost savings. The Port of Corpus Christi is ready to keep it all moving. 54 FT $150M 49M Yd 3Most improvedTransportationRepurposed channel on the cost savings dredge material Gulf Coastportofcc.com Estimated completion date is Q2 to Q3 2025.'