south padre island 2nd causeway

MCALLEN, Texas - State Sen. Juan Hinojosa received applause from the audience when he gave an example of the Rio Grande Valley legislative delegation working together. The example he gave was unity in support of a 2nd Causeway for South Padre Island.

Hinojosa spoke about the 2nd Causeway in remarks he gave at the “Rio Grande Valley Legislators Appreciation Reception.” The event, hosted by the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, was held Jan. 18 at the Radisson in McAllen.


Developing the 2nd Causeway was recently taken over by the Texas Department of Transportation, to the delight of Rio Grande Valley leaders. 

Hinojosa, D-McAllen, said the Valley’s legislative delegation was one of the best, if not the best in the state of Texas. He praised state Rep. Terry Canales, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, for helping to bring millions of dollars to the Valley for transportation and international bridge projects.

“He makes sure that we get our fair share of funding, working with the Valley delegation,” Hinojosa said.

“Commerce with Mexico continues to expand and grow. Just the City of Pharr alone does over $40 billion dollars a year in commerce and trade. The Mission Anzalduas Bridge is coming on board to take commercial trucking, which is very important,” Hinojosa said.

“We also worked with Senator LaMantia to make sure that we will build a second bridge to South Padre Island. So you can see that we work together. We work together as a team, as a delegation to make sure we address the priorities of the Rio Grande Valley.”

Sen. Morgan LaMantia, D-South Padre Island, was one of the legislative speakers at the event.

Hinojosa liked the sign the RGV Partnership displayed at the back of the stage. It read: “One Region, One Voice.”

Hinojosa said: The Valley delegation speaks with one voice for one region in the state capitol, making sure that we focus on the priorities that local public officials and constituents discuss with us.”

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

AUSTIN, Texas - When the Rio Grande Guardian exclusively interviewed Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr., last week he alluded to some big news on the horizon.

Asked what 2024 might have in store, Treviño said: “We’re hoping to end (2023) with a bang and thankful for all of the progress and development that we’ve had over this past year. Hopefully we’re going to start the new year with some very exciting development and, as soon at it happens, you’ll know what I’m talking about. I don’t want to jinx it.”

Now we know what the judge was referring to. On Tuesday, the Texas Transportation Commission approved a minute order that adds a future roadway, State Highway 104, to the state highway system. The designation opens the door to additional funding sources to accelerate development and construction of the South Padre Island 2nd Causeway project. SH 104 will be built between FM 106 and Park Road 100 on South Padre Island. 

Treviño was at the TTC to hear the news. Indeed, he spoke at the meeting just before the new minute order was unanimously approved. Other speakers from the Rio Grande Valley included TTC Commissioner Alex Meade, and RGV Metropolitan Planning Organization Chairman David Fuentes.

Here is a podcast that features their remarks.

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