PHARR, Texas - Luis Bazán, bridge director for the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, announced plans for an expansion that would erect a “parallel” or “twin” bridge next to the existing one.
Speaking at the U.S.-Mexico Binational Bridges and Border Crossings Group meeting, which was held at the Pharr Events Center, Bazán gave a presentation to members, updating them on the latest growth statistics and different projects in the pipeline – the second span being the “major” proposal in the mix.
Bazán explained that as the area continues to see steady growth on both sides of the border, including Mexico’s recent addition to their Reynosa customs office, expanding the bridge becomes a no-brainer.
“You’ve seen what Pharr and the region is doing,” said Bazán. “The interchange is the next thing. We’re part of the Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan, so we need to start planning out for the next 25, 35 years. So, right now is the time to get it done. If we wait 25 years, then we’ll be doing the trade a disservice.”
Currently, the bridge has four lanes and crosses an average of 2,500 trucks from Mexico and 2,300 from the U.S. daily. The proposed twin bridge will have four lanes as well, which Bazán says will exponentially increase their crossings.
“Right now, just by opening up that south, northbound empties lane, we’re opening up 40 percent capacity just there,” said Bazán. “… Can you imagine with four additional lanes? I mean, you’re looking at 200, 300 percent more capacity.”
To execute the project, the original engineers of the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge have been brought back. Sidney “Sid” A. Mielke of Structural Engineering Associates, Inc. in San Antonio and J. Javier Montero Casillas, CEO of Caxcan in Mexico City, will work on the designs for their respective sides. So far, Mexico has completed about six months of planning, while the U.S. will start topography studies and strategize for the pre-permitting process. This includes reviewing the bridge’s existing Presidential Permit from 1978.
As it stands, there is 70 feet of right-of-way allowed where the span is to be built. Bazán hopes the permit will cover the expansion or can be amended. If the proposal is rejected, the city will have to apply for a new Presidential Permit, and, with tougher restrictions, Bazán foresees months and months of bureaucratic red tape before construction can begin.
On the Mexico side, however, Bazán says they are moving forward and want to start breaking ground in 2021. Mielke, who also helped design Laredo’s World Trade International Bridge – the largest land port entry in the U.S., says they are trudging ahead as well. He anticipates about a year of paperwork, but ultimately predicts a completion date in early 2023.
“All the bridges suffer from congestion and issues related to funding,” said Mielke. “But, Pharr–Reynosa is actually a bridge that has continued to increase traffic over the long-term. And, doubling the bridge there will not only add capacity, but it will increase the safety component of the bridge, and it will allow a lot of flexibility for … increasing imports and exports in both directions.”
Bazán added, “You get your maquilas; you get your automotive; you get your oil and gas, produce - that’s what this second span is for, but also because the studies indicate that there’s more growth coming.”
Bazán also touched on other projects that will be completed before the new span is green-lighted. By 2021, the bridge will open two additional commercial entry lanes; expand the dry dock by 13-14 spaces; open a 15,000-square-foot cold inspection facility; and build a border safety inspection facility connector with two exit lanes. He ended his presentation by acknowledging the City of Pharr’s heavy investment in the infrastructure projects at the bridge. As the No. 1 crossing for produce in the country, with $35 billion in trade annually, they are doing all they can to make crossings easier for all.
“We are the Pharr International Bridge, and we are investing big for faster trade,” said Bazán.
