City of Eagle Pass Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Camino Real International Bridge, Unveils Port of Eagle Pass Signage
By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2019
The City of Eagle Pass, Texas and its entity, Eagle Pass Bridge System, celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Camino Real International Bridge on Friday, September 27, 2019 as well as unveiled the new Port of Eagle Pass signage to the public at its 500 South Monroe Street location.
Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu welcomed all the guests in attendance at the ceremony and proceeded to discuss the important role that the Eagle Pass Bridge System with its two international bridges and the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge play for the citizens of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico as well as to United States-Mexico-Canada International trade.
Mayor Cantu stated “we celebrate 20 years of our [Camino Real] International Bridge and continue on a yearly basis the growth and importance of our Port [of Entry], not only locally but internationally.”
Mayor Cantu read and presented a City Council Proclamation to the Eagle Pass Bridge System Operations General Manager Anna De La Garza concerning the 20th Anniversary of the opening of the Camino Real International Bridge, also known as Bridge No. 2, and the salient role the Port of Eagle Pass plays in international trade.
Eagle Pass Bridge System Operations Manager Anna De La Garza received the Proclamation and briefly elaborated on key international trade statistics and traffic at the Port of Eagle Pass.
Mayor Cantu, De La Garza, Eagle Pass City Council members Yolanda P. Ramon and Rudy Villalpando, Mexican Consulate Ismael Naveja Macias, and Eagle Pass Bridge System employees participated in the official unveiling of the beautiful royal blue signage for the Port of Eagle Pass at the entrance to the Camino Real International Bridge.
Local dignitaries and citizens attended the ceremony, including Mexican Consulate Ismael Naveja Macias, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Eagle Pass Port Director Paul Del Rincon, Eagle Pass City Council members Yolanda P. Ramon and Rudy Villalpando, Eagle Pass Independent School District Superintendent Samuel Mijares, Eagle Pass Bride System Board President Kimberly Cantu and Board Member Erasmo Villalpando, Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandra Martinez, Eagle Pass Police Chief Albert Guajardo, Eagle Pass City Manager George Antuna, and many others.
The City of Eagle Pass finished paying off the $20 Million plus in bonds issued to pay for the construction of the Camino Real International Bridge in 2019 and the City is now eligible to use the funds that it previously paid for the bond for other significant city Capital Improvement projects and needs.
The Eagle Pass Bridge System is the largest revenue contributor to the City of Eagle Pass General Revenue Fund and Fiscal Year Budget, contributing a projected $11 Million plus to the City’s 2019-2020 Fiscal Year Budget.
