U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are now able to inspect more inbound trucks from Mexico at a Texas border crossing following the completion of an $8 million project funded by the City of Pharr. The city recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with officials from CBP and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to mark the expansion of northbound lanes and the addition of a second exit at the Pharr International Bridge. This project was funded through CBP’s Donations Acceptance Program (DAP), which allows for donations of real estate, personal property, and non-personal services from government and private-sector entities.
Armando Taboada, assistant director of field and trade operations at CBP’s Laredo Field Office, highlighted that “This DAP project adds two inbound commercial lanes and two exit booths, significantly expanding our overall capacity and throughput. It enables CBP to process an even greater volume of lawful commerce through the Pharr International Bridge,” Taboada told Transport Topics.
In fiscal year 2023, CBP officers at the Laredo Field Office processed $283 billion in imports from Mexico, including cargo through the Pharr bridge and the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. Currently, around 2,000 trucks pass through the Pharr bridge daily, but that number is expected to increase with the added capacity for trucks from Mexico.
“As imports from Mexico continue to grow, these additional spaces and improvements will have a substantial positive impact on our ability to expedite shipments into U.S. commerce,” said CBP Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, who oversees the Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas. The new booths will also enable CBP officers to direct commercial traffic to a new Border Safety Inspection Facility, which is expected to be completed in the coming months.
Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez emphasized the city’s commitment to infrastructure improvements at the bridge crossing. Construction on the recently completed project began in 2020. “Pharr’s collaboration with CBP and GSA through the DAP has expedited these projects, delivering tangible solutions to critical needs and enhancing trade and productivity at our international port of entry,” Hernandez said. “Through innovative partnerships like DAP, we’ve improved cross-border movement and planned for future growth at the Pharr International Bridge.”
Trade statistics for the bridge show a year-to-date total of $23.4 billion through June, an increase of 0.55%. Imports during this period rose by just over 7% to $15.6 billion. The highest value imports were:
- Avocados, dates, figs, pineapples — up 33% to $1.23 billion
- Strawberries and blueberries — up 6% to $918.6 million
- Insulated wire and cable — up 19% to $899.16 million
- TVs and computer monitors — down 9% to $707 million
- Medical instruments — up 2% to $692 million
Jason Shelton, GSA regional administrator, remarked, “We are thrilled to reach this milestone in support of CBP’s mission at the Pharr Land Port of Entry. DAP projects require years of dedication, and today we celebrate our ongoing efforts to deliver results that positively impact our stakeholders.”
The newly added commercial vehicle entry lanes and booths not only increase the capacity to process more trucks from Mexico but also ensure efficient inspections for secure, certified, and empty trucks, further supporting cargo deliveries.