Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras Ready for Non-Essential Travelers on November 8th
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2021
The cities of Eagle Pass, Texas and its sister city, Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, together with the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Eagle Pass Port Director Paul Del Rincon, Mexican Customs, Mexican Toll Bridges CAPUFE and Fideicomiso, City of Eagle Pass International Bridge System, and City of Eagle Pass Police Department held a bi-national meeting on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at the Eagle Pass City Council Chambers to discuss and coordinate the anticipated significant vehicle traffic and Mexican non-essential travelers at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry on November 8, 2021 when the United States lifts its non-essential travel restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border land ports.
The City of Eagle Pass hosted the bi-national meeting with all the stakeholders at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry to discuss the expected increase of Mexican non-essential travelers, the hours of operation of the two City of Eagle Pass International Bridges, and the possible implementation of of hybrid lanes at Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 2 to improve and handle the traffic flow of vehicles during high traffic periods on November 8, 2021 and thereafter.
Both Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras are preparing themselves for the anticipated large increase of Mexican non-essential travelers on November 8th as the United States lifts its 20 months long non-essential travel restrictions, reopening the U.S.-Mexico border land ports to Mexican and all foreign travelers who are 18 years and older and fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine upon proof of said vaccination. Travelers who are under 18 years of age will not be required to be vaccinated.
Eagle Pass Port of Entry CBP Director Paul Del Rincon noted that vehicular traffic is expected to increase from its current 7-8,000 daily vehicles to up to 12,000 vehicles per day once the non-essential travel restrictions are lifted at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, November 8th. Del Rincon added that he will be personally present at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry during midnight on November 8th to monitor the flow of vehicles and travelers.
Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. stated the City of Eagle Pass is looking forward to the lifting of the non-essential travel restrictions on November 8th as the city has taken a significant loss of general revenues during the 20 months that the restrictions have been in place. Salinas added the City of Eagle Pass and its business community are anxious and prepared to return to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic trade relations. The non-essential travel restrictions were implemented on March 20, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Eagle Pass Police Department presented possible implementation of hybrid travel lanes at the Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 2 during high traffic volume periods to handle efficiently and safely the anticipated large increase of vehicles.
Eagle Pass International Bridge System Director Homero Balderas stated the hours of operation for Bridge No. 2 effective November 8, 2021 will remain open 24 hours while Bridge No. 1 hours of operation will be increased from 7 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. Balderas noted that Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 will continue to be a “Ready Bridge” for vehicular traffic with people with only SENTRI, U.S. Passports (card or booklet), VISA (with proof of vaccination), and Permanent Resident Card users.
