Work on border infrastructure connecting the United States to Mexico is progressing.

The $400 million Nuevo Laredo International Bridge and the 4 billion peso ($206 million) Otay Mesa II Port of Entry will reduce travel times and congestion and speed up trade.

NUEVO LAREDO INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE

The Laredo-Nuevo Laredo Crossing rail bridge on the Texas-Tamaulipas border is being built by US rail operator Kansas City Southern (KCS).

Work started at the end of October and is expected to be completed in 2024. According to KCS, the 350m freight bridge is financed from its own resources, which will be recovered through toll collection.

The bridge will connect to the Mex-85 freeway and the US highways I-35 and I-69. It will have a capacity of 30,000 containers and 25,000 vehicles per day.

OTAY II CHART

Also known as Otay Mesa Este, the port of entry between San Diego and Tijuana was stalled until U.S. and Mexican officials implemented a plan in 2020.

With funding confirmed, the port is expected to be completed in 2024. However, delays were reported in November on the Mexican side, where the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) resumed work in 2022. Obstacles relate to compensation for the ground, according to local media.

Additional works include highway works and toll booths on both sides, as well as an ICT tender to be launched by the United States.

In September, BNamericas spoke with representatives of the San Diego Association of Governments (Sandag) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), entities in charge of the project. Officials provided details on funding and objectives, road works, toll stations and the ICT tender.