LAREDO, Texas – Cargo operations were temporarily suspended at the World Trade Bridge on Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. Rep. Henry Cuellar said he's working to have it reopened by this weekend.
The suspension is due to power outages, flooding and structural damage from heavy rains and high winds Sunday.
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The bridge is used for trade operations between Mexico and the U.S.
Officials said commercial traffic will be rerouted to the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge.
CBP said it and Servicio de Administración Tributaria will work collaboratively to prioritize fast, perishable and medical-related shipments as truck lanes become operational at WTB.
Statement from Cuellar:
"Last night, as the World Trade Bridge closed and traffic was redirected to the Colombia Solidarity Bridge, I began receiving phone calls from constituents about significant delays. Immediately, my staff and I engaged with local, state, national, and international government officials to address the issue. I spoke repeatedly with Mayor Pete Saenz; Mexican Ambassador to the United States Gerónimo Gutiérrez; Customs and Border Protection’s Director of Field Operations for Laredo, David Higgerson; GSA (the General Services Administration); and others in Laredo, Austin, and Washington, DC.
"Some of the delays at Colombia Solidarity Bridge have been alleviated by adjusting security procedures, opening additional lanes, and extending operating hours. The damage at the World Trade Bridge has been assessed, and we expect it to re-open this weekend. I will continue to personally monitor the issue and encourage any constituents with concerns to contact my office.
I would like to thank the dedicated men and women working on the ground at both bridges, from those cleaning and repairing damage, to those keeping commerce flowing while keeping the country secure."
Photos of traffic at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge on Tuesday:
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