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Leading Trade Bridge in RGV Adds New Toll System to Boost Trade and Security

September 18, 2018

PHARR, Texas - The Pharr International Bridge is the largest full-service crossing bridge in the Rio Grande Valley.
Billions of dollars in trade flow across the bridge annually and officials say there is room for growth.

City leaders along with officials from across the Valley implemented a new toll system they say will improve trade and security. More than 2,500 trucks full of goods and trade products cross over bridge daily creating billions of dollars of trade with Mexico annually and that number is expected to grow.

U.S. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez says, "In the next three to five years we will probably expand the Pharr bridge to 50 percent capacity."

The new state of the art toll system will aid that growth by making travel and trade across the bridge faster and more secure.

"We're able to collect data of the trucks that are coming back and forth. What they are bringing, who is bringing them and how often they are coming through." Says Congressman Gonzalez.

The Pharr International Bridge is the leader for produce with 60 percent of all imported U.S. produce coming through Pharr annually that equates to $33 billion in trade.

Eduardo Bernal – Mexican Consulate says, "If you increase the passing and you do it faster and more security the only thing that is going to increase. You are going to have better trade and commerce with Mexico."

Pharr officials say they plan to invest $30 million in infrastructure inside the port of entry. It will benefit cross border trade throughout the city.

Congressman Gonzalez adds, "You know we just struck and agreement with Mexico and I think Canada. We're going to be blowing and going through this region and we want to be ready for it in terms of technology."

Gonzalez also says the implementation of this toll system technology is the first of its kind. He hopes to see similar technology implemented across the United States. The new technology and infrastructure at the Pharr International Bridge has the potential to increase trade partnerships and investments with Asian countries bringing higher paying jobs to the Rio Grande Valley.