Eagle Pass International Bridge System Traffic Increases During 2022
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2023
During the City of Eagle Pass International Bridge System Board of Trustees meeting held on January 19, 2023, Eagle Pass Bridge System General Manager Homero Balderas reported an overall increase of traffic for every category during 2022 and discussed the ongoing projects at the two international bridges with the Board of Trustees.
Balderas stated that the gross total of international bridge crossings in 2022 in the two bridges were 3,417,346, including 2,823,492 vehicles, 197,343 commercial vehicles, 6,504 buses, 3,277 motor cycles, and 386,730 pedestrians.
Balderas noted that the vehicles crossings had increased by 24.98% in 2022 compared to the previous 2021 year, commercial vehicles traffic increased by 4.32% in 2022, and pedestrian traffic increased by 5.23% in 2022. Overall, the Eagle Pass International Bridge System enjoyed a successful 2022 as international traffic has returned to previous levels before the COVID-19 pandemic restricted traffic on the United States-Mexico border.
International trade is another area important to the Eagle Pass International Bridge System in collaboration with the U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras Port of Entry continues to grow in the total trade value crossing through our border.
Balderas stated that during the first 10 months of 2022, including October, a total of $28.45 Billion of goods and products had been imported and exported through the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras Port of Entry, making Eagle Pass the 35th largest Port of Entry (including Land, Sea, and Air) in the United States among approximately 300 ports and the 10th largest border crossing among U.S.-Mexico-Canada port of entries. The total trade figures for November and December 2022 were unavailable as of the January 19, 2023 Board meeting. As of October 2022, the Eagle Pass Port of Entry was enjoying a 2.26% increase in international exports and imports compared to 2021.
The increased traffic during 2022 is appreciated by the City of Eagle Pass and its taxpayers as the revenues of the two-bridge Eagle Pass International Bridge System funds up to 40% of the City’s fiscal year budget. More traffic generates more revenues for both the Bridge System and the City of Eagle Pass.
Balderas also discussed the Bridge System is negotiating to have billboards installed within cities in the State of Coahuila, Mexico to promote Eagle Pass as the primary international crossing between the United States and Mexico as well as promote tourism to local businesses, hotels, and restaurants. He added the City of Eagle Pass sister city relationship with the City of Matamoros, Coahuila, a city near Torreón, Coahuila, has taken off very well and a workshop is planned in the near future on how to increase trade between the two communities through the Eagle Pass Port of Entry.
Balderas also presented a highlight of the projects completed or undertaken at the Bridge System in 2022, including the completion of a cleaning and painting project on Bridge No. 1 with a value of $1 million, the Bridge No. 2 lane delineation project valued at $50,000, commencement of construction of the $3.6 million new Bridge System Administration Building on Bridge No. 2 with a 20% completion rate, the Bridge No. 2 lane expansion project is 99% completed, and other projects.
In 2023, Balderas stated the Bridge System will work on new projects such as the Bridge No. 1 and 2 Toll System Upgrade, Bridge No. 1 Administrative Building Improvement, demolition and reconstruction, and design, Bridge No. 2 Toll Plaza signage, Bridge Nos. 1 and 2 Toll Plaza Digital Signage, and Bridge Nos. 1 and 2 Platform Lighting Improvements. Balderas noted 2023 will be another busy year for the Eagle Pass International Bridge System and it is important to maintain the bridges as well as improve them to make the Eagle Pass Port of Entry attractive for international visitors and trade to cross through Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras.
