Nuevo León Governor Announces Laredo-Colombia Bridge Expansion, Targeting 15,000 Daily Crossings by 2030

Nuevo León Governor Samuel Alejandro García Sepúlveda has announced a significant expansion of the Colombia-Laredo International Bridge, a project designed to streamline cross-border commercial traffic. The plan, presented in Laredo, Texas, aims to boost both exports and imports by increasing the bridge's operational capacity to over 15,000 daily crossings by the year 2030.

The ambitious infrastructure project will cost $200 million, with Texas and Nuevo León splitting the investment equally. Key to the expansion are the construction of two new commercial bridges, which are expected to significantly reduce waiting times and effectively double the international transit capacity at the Colombia Customs facility. Construction is slated to begin in May 2027.

This bridge expansion is part of a larger vision for regional development. Governor García also highlighted plans to upgrade and modernize the State Highway 001 North, stretching from Salinas Victoria to the Customs area. This initiative, part of the "Green Corridors" project, has federal government backing and an estimated investment of $17 billion.

Furthermore, the governor announced the creation of the "Polo Industrial Plan México" in the municipality of Anáhuac, a tax-free zone designed to attract business investment. Companies operating within this zone will be exempt from various taxes, including ISR (Income Tax), state payroll taxes, and municipal property taxes. The federal government also committed to promptly returning any Value Added Tax (IVA), Special Production and Services Tax (IEPS), or foreign trade taxes paid within their operations through IMMEX programs within 24 hours.

The announcement was made during the closing of the governor's working tour in Texas. Earlier, García met with U.S. Congressman Joaquín Castro and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros in San Antonio, underscoring the cross-border collaboration central to these development plans.

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Nuevo León will have four cross-border bridges: the traditional International Bridge, the two new bridges, and the one on Carretera 001 Norte. The objective is to optimize import and export flows on the northern border.