Eagle Pass City Council approve Bridge Toll Fare Increase for Commercial Vehicles

By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2015

The Eagle Pass City Council unanimously approved the recommendation from the City of Eagle Pass Bridge Board to increase the International Bridge toll fare for commercial vehicles at their Tuesday, September 15, 2015, despite pleas from both U.S. and Mexican Customs Brokers and Transportation companies not to increase the fares due to the current devaluation of the Mexican monetary unit, the Peso.

Under ordinances agenda item No. 8 calling for the consideration and possible approval of an Ordinance amending Section 26-183(3), Article VII, Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas, for the setting of new commercial toll rates to be collected for the International Bridges, the Eagle Pass City Council voted unanimously to approve the proposal for such action.

Mayor Ramsey English Cantu stated that one of the concerns from the Bridge Board was that the increase in funding would be appropriately used to better the services of the bridge system. “With the expansion project and the city finally moving forward with that, this funding will facilitate that additional cost.” said Cantu.

After discussing the matter, city council voted in favor of the toll rate increase.

The City of Eagle Pass will be contributing approximately $1,300,000 to the expansion of the commercial lanes on International Bridge No. 2 (Camino Real Bridge) in addition to the$5,300,000 that the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) is investing in the form of a grant to the City of Eagle Pass for this expansion bridge project.

The City of Eagle Pass Bridge Board of Trustees approved the commercial toll fare increase on Monday, August 31, 2015 at their meeting from $3.75 per axle to $4.75 per axle, a one dollar per axle rate increase.

At the August 31st meeting, Eagle Pass International Bridges General Manager Mario Diaz presented certain information including a toll fares comparative chart, comparing the City of Eagle Pass bridges to other port of entries along the Texas- Mexico border.

Diaz presented the charge totals currently in place and a historical chart of past changes to the toll fares in the past 10 years at the Eagle Pass bridges and other border bridges.

Eagle Pass Bridge System Board Chairperson Jesus Casas questioned the toll rate increase proposal, asking for reasoning on why the increase rate was being sought.   Casas eventually approved the rate increase with his Board.

Eagle Pass Finance Director San Juana Garza stated that the recommendation of increasing toll fares was being sought due to costs to be incurred in the upcoming year from bridge projects.

“Our recommendation is to only look at the commercial toll fares. Looking at the comparison chart, the City of Eagle Pass is at the lowest of all the rates.” said Garza.

Garza noted that they’re not seeking any changes to pedestrian and passenger vehicle fares.

After deliberating all the issues, the City of Eagle Pass Bridge Board of Directors voted in favor of the proposed toll fares increase.

The City of Eagle Pass is looking at $1,300,000 in investments to facilitate the commercial traffic at Bridge II during the up-coming fiscal year.

The ordinance amending Section 26-183(3), Article VII, Chapter 26 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas, for the setting of new commercial toll rates to be collected for the International Bridges will have to be read another two times at future city council meetings before final approval.

U.S. and Mexican Customs Brokers and Transportation companies have vigorously objected to the City of Eagle Pass International Bridge System’s toll rate increase for commercial vehicles due to the current devaluation of the Mexican monetary unit, the Peso, compared to the U.S. Dollar. The devaluation of the peso is affecting U.S.-Mexico international trade, according to U.S. and Mexico Customs Brokers and Transportation companies. They argue that the increased toll fare rate will increase the cost of doing business through the Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico Port of Entry and cause them to have to consider shipping their goods through other Ports of Entry or the railroad.