Mexico is the United States’ top trading partner, with nearly $800 billion of goods exchanged in 2023. The vast majority of that trade flows through Texas. On Oct. 3, this bilateral relationship was lifted to new heights when the federal government approved a permit to build and operate the 4/5 International Bridge in Laredo and Webb County. The “4/5 bridge” is the fourth international bridge for the Mexican state of Tamaulipas and the fifth for Webb County.
According to TxDOT, bridge conditions in the Texas border counties have declined steadily since 2014. Coupled with unstandardized customs procedures and outdated technology, these challenges will undermine our efforts to accommodate trade growth, to promote near-shoring and onshoring of supply chains, and to maintain the North American bloc’s dominant position in the world economy.