en.Wedoany.com Reported - The U.S. Department of Transportation has allocated $25 million in federal funding to the city of Laredo, Texas, for the modernization and expansion of the World Trade Bridge. This port of entry handles over 40% of the freight volume in U.S.-Mexico bilateral trade, and the expansion aims to alleviate logistical congestion.

Congressman Henry Cuellar and Laredo Mayor Víctor Treviño jointly announced the grant, noting that the funding will provide long-term support for cross-border supply chains amid the nearshoring trend.

The grant comes from the federal BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) program, directly managed by the Department of Transportation, which focuses on supporting nationally or regionally critical transportation infrastructure projects. Laredo's selection highlights the strategic importance of the border crossing between Tamaulipas and Texas. Accelerating cargo flow at this port is economically and security-wise significant for boosting regional GDP and maintaining the competitiveness of North America's global logistics corridor.

The core of the expansion is to widen the World Trade Bridge from the current 8 lanes to 18 operational lanes. The project will integrate high-speed FAST lanes designated for certified carriers to expedite pre-approved customs clearance, reduce congestion at inspection areas, and mitigate the environmental impact of prolonged idling by freight trucks. Federal funds will also connect a direct logistics flow to the Texas General Services Administration (GSA) facility, and coordinate with road improvements on I-69W and the I-35 corridor to eliminate major bottlenecks affecting long-haul freight trucks.

Also attending the press conference was Brenda Rentería, director of the Laredo chapter of COMCE Noreste (COMCE Noreste), who represented the local foreign trade private sector. She stated that such investments in technology and lane capacity are indispensable for meeting the operational requirements of the USMCA, and that the organization will serve as a bridge between the public and private sectors to ensure regional competitiveness and sustainable development.