RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas - Dalinda Guillen, executive director of Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation, has given an update on the eagerly awaited State Loop 195 project.
The loop, which is being built by TxDOT, will allow trucks that use the Starr Camargo International Bridge to avoid traveling through the heart of the city.
Guillen spoke about transportation and developments at the bridge at a recent Commercialization & Investment Tour event hosted by the Rio Grande Valley Partnership.
“As you know we have a crossing right here in Rio Grande that opens up that gateway to international commerce. And we are very, very, proud to work with Mr. (Sam) Vale and the Starr Camargo Bridge Company to expand this opportunity for our community,” Guillen said.
“In fact, he (Vale) has received congressional authorization to expand his port by multiple lanes. And so that is something we are looking forward to because that will allow traffic, especially commercial traffic, to get through our port of entry a lot faster, even though they already have a pretty good record time of crossing right here at this bridge.”
Guillen then discussed the big loop project.
“Besides the (port) expansion, and opportunities that Starr Camargo Bridge Company brings to Rio Grande, as a city we're also identifying the need to improve the transportation in and out of our international port and also take it to what is a project that everyone knows as State Loop 195,” Guillen said.
“So, we have received information from TxDOT that this project will be letting out in August of 2025. And right now, as we speak, we've got TxDOT in our office meeting with property owners that are finalizing those last parts of the loop to get this project going further along Rio Grande.”
Guillen said the first part of the TXDOT project will start at the International bridge.
“The very first part of this project starts from our port of entry (and goes) out to the connection of State Loop 195. It will then come out to what is 3157, just short of reaching our airport, and then continue out to 649 and then out to Loma Blanca outside of Roma,” Guillen said.
“So, we're very, very proud that this project is finally moving along and funded - most importantly for those economic developers and city leaders in the room - because funding is important. You can't do much without money.”
Guillen added: “We have to make sure as advocates for our community that we're letting our leaders know the importance of this project. And thankfully all those efforts have paid off because we finally have people at the table to get this thing going.”
