pharr international bridge

PHARR, Texas - How does Pharr punch above its weight to secure state and federal funding for transportation projects, not just in the city but the Rio Grande Valley as a whole.

Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez gave his assessment in his 2024 State of the City address.

“The City of Pharr is proud to have spearheaded and played a monumental role in our regional historical transportation infrastructure accomplishments. Now how does the city achieve or even influence this type of success?” Hernandez asked.

“Well, the real magic occurs behind the scenes, working diligently with our state officials, RGV mayors and county leadership as we continue to capitalize and work diligently through our city departments with our state partners to see all transportation projects through completion.”

The State of the City address was held Jan. 18 at the Pharr Events Center. Mayor Hernandez led with a recap of his administration’s accomplishments in transportation and international bridge accomplishments.

Hernandez said that 2015, the city commission was “instrumental” in securing more than $700 million in state and federal funding for major transportation projects. 

“These vital transportation projects within our city limits alleviate traffic, congestion and improve the flow of transportation, freight and indeed commerce. But ultimately benefiting the entire Rio Grande Valley.”

Another big thing the City Pharr was “instrumental” in, Hernandez said, was the “historic” merger, in 2019, of three Rio Grande Valley metropolitan planning organizations. The merger of the three entities led to the creation of the RGV MPO. 

“We now have a seat at the table with the big boys, giving us access to billions of dollars in funding to improve and expand roads and transportation infrastructure that was previously inaccessible to the RGV,” Hernandez said, proudly. 

“Reflecting back on that it was an honor to have served as the inaugural chairman of the RGV MPO.”

Spurred by the creation of the RGV MPO crucial transportation projects in Pharr have become a reality, the mayor boasted. One of the flagship projects spearheaded by the RGV MPO was the I-69 interchange expansion, he said. 

“The I-69 C or better known to us as the 281 Exchange Interstate project, is a prime example of Pharr’s many impactful transportation projects and I'm proud to say that our Pharr leadership spearheaded this amazing project.”

Hernandez said more than $300 million has been allocated by the Texas Transportation Commission, through TxDOT and the RGV MPO. “This (281 Exchange Interstate) project was one of the major achievements during our administration. This monumental project will lead to change for the betterment of South Texas. That's what we call impactful.”

Another project Hernandez spoke proudly of is the International Bridge Trade Corridor. 

“IBTC has been a top legislative priority for the city since 2015. This massive infrastructure haul is the main fragment that will provide a direct connection for all commercial trucks to eventually act as a sole corridor. This project is fully funded with $287 million and is now a TXDOT sponsored project and is designated as State Highway 68 and Spur 81,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez also spoke about the State Highway 365 Tollway. He said this new state highway in Hidalgo County is being developed by Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority specifically for heavy commercial vehicles. The Pharr leadership helped the RMA secure $295 million for the project, Hernandez said. HCRMA is a “true Pharr partner,” he said. 

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

PHARR, Texas - Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez says the Pharr International Bridge could be given over exclusively to commercial trucks in the coming years, with passenger vehicles having to use other ports of entry in the Rio Grande Valley.

Hernandez spoke to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service about the future of the Valley’s busiest bridge for trade during his city’s recent Start of the Produce Season festivities. 

“We will do whatever the population requires. Demand is what drives this,” Hernandez said. “So, if there is absolutely a need for us to be fully commercial, then that's what we will do. If there's still a need to be hybrid for the benefit of all residents, then that’s what we'll do. It is evolving with time.”

Pharr Bridge Director Luis Bazan agreed. He told the Guardian: “These are conversations we've had in the last several years. These are conversations that have either been sparked by the federal government, by CBP, or even from us and having different conversations with different trade partners. You know, we've talked about extending hours of operation. There's a couple of businesses out there that in the past years have talked about going 24 hours. So, the mayor said it best, it's evolving.”

CBP stands for Customs and Border Protection. 

Both Hernandez and Bazan spoke from the podium at the 2023-24 Start of the Produce Season celebrations. The event drew hundreds of people, including elected officials, economic development leaders and those that work in the fresh produce industry. As in other years, bags of fruit and vegetables were available for take away and local eateries had stands so those attending could taste food made from the produce that crosses the Pharr Bridge. 

Here is an audio recording of Mayor Hernandez's speech at the 2023 Start of the Produce Season celebrations.

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

PHARR, TEXAS - Dennis A. McKenzie, deputy executive director, cargo and conveyance security for US Custom and Border Protection, was the keynote speaker at the recent Pharr Bridge Board Industrial Warehouse Summit 2.

The title of the event was IWS2. The subheading: “Building a Competitive Border Region for Near-Shoring and Industrial Growth.” It took place at the Pharr Development & Research Center in W. Dicker Road in south Pharr. 

On his visit to the Rio Grande Valley, McKenzie saw a number of ports of entry. He praised the Pharr Bridge Board and the local stakeholders the board works with. 

“I want to compliment you guys because I go everywhere in the country. I have done cargo since 1989. Northern border, southern border, seaports, airports, rail crossings. You are the only ones coming together as a community to get the work done,” McKenzie said.

“I saw multiple cities here, I saw state (officials). I’ve seen your senator’s staffers here. I saw this in Laredo, which impressed me. Then I went to El Paso and I saw it once again. Now I come to the RGV and I see it once again. Public-private partnerships coming together to get budgets like this done.”

McKenzie said he could not believe the federal government has not moved quicker on the donations acceptance programs the Pharr Bridge Board has embarked on. The Donations Acceptance Program is a mechanism that allows local communities to work with the federal government to get key infrastructure projects done. Pharr is still working on DAP 15 and DAP 16. The numbers refer to the year the application for the partnership was made. So, Pharr is still working on projects at their international bridge that were registered with the General Services Administration in 2015 and 2016. 

Here is an audio recording of McKenzie’s 40-plus minute speech at IWS2.

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

MCALLEN, Texas - Pharr Bridge Director Luis Bazan recently spoke at a meeting of TxDOT’s Border Trade Advisory Committee.

In his presentation, Bazan listed some of the improvements happening at the bridge, including construction of a second span. With four more lanes, the new span will effectively double the capacity of the bridge. Bazan said Mexico is already building its half of the second span.

After his presentation, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson asked Bazan to reiterate how much fresh produce the Pharr bridge crosses. The answer: Sixty-five percent of the imported fresh fruit and vegetables consumed in Texas. “That is absolutely phenomenal,” said Nelson, who chaired the BTAC meeting. 

Bazan said the new produce season will kickoff in October. He said Pharr Bridge Board is slated to host an Avocado Festival the same month.

The BTAC meeting was held at the McAllen Convention Center.

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

MCALLEN, Texas - Luis Bazán, director of the Pharr International Bridge, says there are 400 companies moving from China to Mexico in order to be closer to the North American market.

Bazán said he learned this fact while on a trade visit to Mexico. He said the job of he and his team now is to visit those companies and make sure they move their product across the Pharr International Bridge.

Bazán was a guest speaker at South Texas College’s 3rd Annual Binational Educational Symposium. The symposium was held over two days and streamed to various colleges in Mexico. 

The second morning of the event was held in-person at STC's McAllen campus. Co-sponsoring the symposium were La Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas and INDEX Reynosa, the maquiladora trade association.

Much of Bazán’s presentation was aimed at the students in the audience and those listening online. He told them about the many facets of international trade and how they could forge great careers in that industry.

The attached audio file focuses on Bazán’s remarks about the growth of the Pharr International Bridge, the plans of Pharr leaders to build a second span at the bridge, and what he learned in Mexico about firms in China that are moving to Mexico.

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

PHARR, Texas - The start of the fresh produce season was celebrated at the Pharr International Bridge recently with an event titled “A Taste of Trade.”

The event was hosted by the Pharr Bridge Board.

One of the speakers at the event was Pharr International Bridge Director Luis Bazan.

During the festivities the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service conducted an interview with Bazan, along with some of the growers and shippers that use the bridge to import fresh produce from Mexico.

Here is the podcast.

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

PHARR, Texas - Ken Roberts is the founder and president of WorldCity, Inc., a company that tracks trade data at U.S. airports, seaports and border crossings. 

He is also a former Federal Reserve Trade & Transportation Advisory Board member. He collates trade data from the U.S. Census Bureau. WorldCity’s website address is www.ustradenumbers.com.

Every year, Roberts produces a book for the Pharr Bridge Board that looks at the value and tonnage of goods that cross the Rio Grande Valley’s largest border crossing. 

Recently, Roberts participated in one of the Pharr Bridge Board’s monthly Bridge Connect talks. It was held at the Pharr Development and Research Center. 

In a Q&A with Freddy Flores, the trade liaison for the Pharr Bridge, Roberts discussed re-shoring and how the Pharr International Bridge can remain competitive. 

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

PHARR, Texas - Colleagues like to brag on Pharr Bridge Director of Operations Fred Brouwen that he has been there from the beginning because he was operating the tolls when the first trucks crossed.

But, Pharr Bridge Board Chairman Edgar Delgadillo jokes that he can top that because he saw the bridge being built.

“I was there when my Dad was hauling dirt for the first part of the bridge. I remember sitting on top of the hill,” Delgadillo said, “I must have been 17, 18 years old. My Mom would make lunch for my Dad and the rest of the guys working for my Dad,” Delgadillo told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.

“My Dad told us, ‘They said they’re building a bridge.’ We asked, ‘To where?’”  

According to Delgadillo, all you could see was a hill and then the fields.

The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge measures 3.2 miles in length, making it one of the longest bridges to connect two countries.

Now, decades after watching the first span being built, Delgadillo leads the Pharr Bridge Board as it works on construction of a second span.

“Twenty some years later, I’m here on the Board. I’m chairman, so it is a little personal. Life comes full circle sometimes,” Delgadillo said. “Just to see the new expansion coming up. We’ve worked hard for it.”

Luis Bazan, the Pharr Bridge Director, sat down for his monthly update on bridge matters with the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service. This month’s discussion was longer than normal as Bazan gave plenty of insider information about the construction of a new span, construction of a spur connecting to the new customs facilities on the Reynosa side of the bridge, a possible change in the bridge’s hours of operation, approval of a bond issue for the DAP program, and plans to have an even bigger celebration of the Fresh Produce Season in 2022.

Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service website to read the full story. 

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

PHARR, Texas - The start of the fresh produce season 2021-22 was celebrated at the Pharr International Bridge on Oct. 7.

Produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico were in attendance for the annual event.

The Pharr International Bridge is No. 1 in the nation for moving fresh produce. It averages 200,000 fresh produce shipments per year. It is No. 1 in the nation for the importation of pineapples and avocados. It is No. 2 in the nation for the importation of berries. And it is No. 3 in the nation for the importation of tomatoes.

This information was provided by Ken Roberts of World City, a publication that tracks imports and exports U.S. Census data.

“The Pharr International Bridge continues to remain the #1 Produce gateway in the nation,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, ahead of the event. “Our bridge director, board, and staff continue to do an outstanding job working with all our partners to continue to expand growth and access through our bridge and we look forward to another record-setting season.”

At the event, Hernandez said the “unsung heroes” of the Pharr International Bridge were the consumers that use the port of entry.

Pharr International Bridge Director Luis Bazan pointed out that the U.S. has consistently remained Mexico's No. 1 trading partner for produce and goods. He said Pharr's ideal geographical location has resulted in not only a great partnership between the two countries, but also in the growth of their produce trading capacity. 

“The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge has evolved into the largest land port for fruits and vegetables in the nation,” Bazan told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service. “Currently, the Pharr International Bridge crosses more than 65 percent of all the fresh produce coming from Mexico through Texas land ports of entry.”

Ken Roberts and World City reported that the U.S. imported $355.10 million worth of lemons and other citrus produce through the bridge. The value of peppers, asparagus, and squash, etc., crossing into the U.S. via the bridge was $428.01.71 million. The value of tomatoes crossing into the U.S. via the bridge was $592.72 million. The value of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries crossing into the U.S. via the bridge was $954.71 million. And the value of avocados, dates, figs and pineapples crossing the same bridge was worth $1.43 billion. 

The attached podcast features all the comments made from the podium by Mayor Hernandez and Bridge Director Bazan at the season kickoff event.

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

PHARR TEXAS - The City of Pharr held a groundbreaking ceremony last Thursday for $40 million worth of infrastructure projects at the Pharr International Bridge. 

Funding for the projects has come about thanks to the Donations Acceptance Program, a mechanism by which local funds can go towards federal projects. 

Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez gave remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony. He said that in addition to the $40 million being spent at the bridge, an additional $500 million was being spent on highway projects in the city.

He said these would benefit not just Pharr, but the Rio Grande Valley, the State of Texas, and the nation. 

In addition to the mayor, state Rep. Sergio Muñoz spoke at the event. As did Pharr Bridge Director Luis Bazan.

Go to The Rio Grande Guardian website to read the full story. 

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

PHARR, Texas - Each week, Pharr International Bridge holds a “virtual” town hall meeting for the international trade community.

The series is called BridgeConnect LIVE. Before the coronavirus pandemic struck, the Pharr International Bridge Board would hold the events in-person once a month. 

Now, because of the threat of COVID-19, the events are held once a week on Facebook. The series is called “The Effects of COVID-19.” 

Session 14 focused on the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. From the Mid Valley Custom Brokers Association, Adrian Gonzalez, offered a “boots on the ground’ overview of USMCA.

Part 14 was hosted by the Pharr Bridge Trade Liaison, Freddy Flores.

The session was conducted in Spanish. 

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

PHARR, Texas – Each week, Pharr International Bridge holds a “virtual” town hall meeting for the international trade community.

The series is called BridgeConnect LIVE. Before the coronavirus pandemic struck, the Pharr International Bridge Board would hold the events in-person once a month. 

Now, because of the threat of COVID-19, the events are held once a week on Facebook. The series is called “The Effects of COVID-19.” 

Session 13 was titled “Frequently Asked Questions.” The topics discussed included:

• Pharr Bridge Hours of Operation
• Types of Payments
• Travel permits into Mexico
• Limit of passengers per vehicle into Mexico
• Non-essential travel into USA
• Ages for essential travels into Mexico
• Proper safety measures
• Proper documentations for essential Doctor visits

Part 13 was hosted by the Pharr Bridge Director Luis Bazan.

The session was conducted in Spanish. 

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

PHARR, Texas – Each week, Pharr International Bridge holds a “virtual” town hall meeting for the international trade community.

The series is called BridgeConnect LIVE. Before the coronavirus pandemic struck, the Pharr International Bridge Board would hold the events once a month. 

Now, because of social distancing, the events are held via Facebook and held once a week. The series is called “The Effects of COVID-19.” 

Session 12 focused on the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, or CTPAT, a voluntary public-private sector partnership program. CTPAT members are considered to be of low risk by Customs and Border Protection. 

During Session 12, a Customs and Border Protection officer, Pedro Peña, explained how his agency works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve United States border security. 

Peña discussed the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism and the minimum security requirements to be a part of CTPAT. 

Part 12 was hosted by the Pharr Bridge Trade Liaison, Freddy Flores.

The session was conducted in Spanish.

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

PHARR, Texas - Each week, Pharr International Bridge holds a “virtual” town hall meeting for the international trade community.

The series is called BridgeConnect LIVE. Before the coronavirus pandemic struck, the Pharr International Bridge Board would hold the events once a month. Now, because of social distancing, the events are held via Facebook and held once a week. The series is called “The Effects of COVID-19.” 

Part 11 focused on U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s new ACE Manifest Truck Portal. Representatives from CBP were on hand to explain how trucking companies can complete a truck manifest using the web portal.

Part 11 was hosted by Pharr Bridge Director of Operations Fred Brouwen.

The session was conducted in Spanish.

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.

PHARR, RGV - Pharr International Bridge is to undergo a $35 million infrastructure improvement program, its director has announced.

Luis Bazan was interviewed by the Rio Grande Guardian at the bridge during an event staged to celebrate the start of the 2019-2020 fresh produce season. 

“We are part of the donations acceptance program which is a CBP program. We now have a signed MOU with GSA and CBP to develop over $35 million of infrastructure inside our land port of entry,” Bazan said.

“We are going to be building some import lanes for trucks, some new exit lanes, but, more importantly as far as the produce industry is concerned, a new dock expansion with a cold inspection facility, and a new agriculture laboratory and training center for future entomologists.”

The above podcasts features interviews with Bazan and Pharr Chamber of Commerce executive director Rebecca Arizmendi. 

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.