Laredo World Trade Bridge

"Mexico- U.S. trade increased in the 1980s and with it the traffic on the downtown Laredo Juarez-Lincoln Bridge. By the end of this decade, Texas, the City of Laredo, Mexico, the City of Nuevo Laredo and others were discussing how to accommodate this situation..."

"...The new bridge was opened April 15, 2000 and the downtown back ups disappeared and truck traffic was successfully diverted to the new bridge. "

Read the full summary | View a timeline of events

"From the perspective of the State of Texas, the construction of the World Trade Bridge was vitally needed from a transportation standpoint because of the congestion at the downtown Juarez-Lincoln Bridge" Luis. A. Ramirez, P.E. Laredo District Engineer Read the full statement....
"As the world enters into the 21st Century, the City of Laredo is poised to be one of the major players in international trade movement with the full resources of four international bridges" Elizabeth G. "Betty" Flores, Laredo Mayor Read the full statement....
"According to the U.S. Department of Transportation roughly 83.2 percent of the U.S.-Mexico trade by dollar value moves by truck and rail. In 2001, the Laredo port of entry accounted for 41.1 percent of the total value of trade ($80 billion dollars), making it one of the busiest ports of entry for overland merchandise trade in the hemisphere." Miguel A. Conchas, President and CEO Laredo Chamber of Commerce Read the full statement....
"The World Trade Bridge was opened to traffic in April 2000. The effect this has had on economic growth seems striking." Martin Weiss Principal Program Official for NCPD Federal Highway Administration Read the full statement....

	I-35 prior to World Trade Bridge opening, looking south. Backups frequently extended up to 6 miles. The toll booths at bridge II can be seen in the distance (red tile roof) Date: March 1999
	I-35 southbound at end of freeway (approach to bridge II) Date: September 1999
	I-35 looking northbound at southbound truck traffic. Date: September 1999
	Toll booths for southbound vehicles as seen from offices looking northeast. Date: March 2001
	Entrance to World Trade Bridge Facility from Bob Bullock Loop 20 and I-35 looking west. Date: March 2001
	Southbound entrance to toll plaza looking northeast from bridge offices. Date: March 2001
	Southbound exit from toll plaza looking southeast from bridge offices. Date: March 2001
	Southbound entrance lanes looking northwest from bridge offices. Date: March 2001
	Bridge I carries all of the pedestrian traffic. Note truck using the bridge which is no longer allowed. Date: March 1994
	Employment Statistics for Laredo, Texas and the USA
	The Laredo Project Development Timeline showing date and events in the life of the Laredo World Trade Bridge