City of Eagle Pass Awaits Presidential Permit to Expand Camino Real International Bridge
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2025
The City of Eagle Pass, Texas is anxiously awaiting this month (June 2024) to receive news from The White House regarding the approval of its application for a Presidential Permit Amendment to expand the Camino Real International Bridge from six to 12 lanes, announced Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr.
The United States Department of State has forwarded a favorable foreign policy recommendation on or about April 25, 2025 to The White House concerning the City of Eagle Pass’s application to amend the Presidential Permit of the Camino Real International Bridge from six to 12 lanes for approval, triggering a 60 days review for The White House to approve the permit under the National Defense Authorization Act.
Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr. stated the City of Eagle Pass anticipates the Presidential Permit to be approved or acted upon The White House during the month of June 2025 within the 60 days review period.
“This is an incredible step forward for our City,” said Mayor Salinas. “We’re just one signature away from turning vision into reality. This will open doors for our community and strengthen our economic ties at the border,” added Salinas.
Eagle Pass City Manager Homero Balderas, Jr. who previously served as the General Manager of the City of Eagle Pass International Bridge System stated “this is an exciting and historic moment for Eagle Pass. The advancement of this permit reflects our City’s key role in global trade. Our bridge is vital to the region, state, and national economies, and this project positions us for long-term growth.”
At the Port of Eagle Pass Trade Summit held on May 8, 2025 in Eagle Pass, Ken Roberts, President of World City, reported that a total of $43.75 billion in international trade crossed through the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras Port of Entry during 2024, an increase of 17.78 per cent from the previous year in 2023. Export and Import trade at the Port of Eagle Pass has seen an increase from $7.72 billion in 2005 to $43.75 billion in 2024 and is expected to continue to increase in the future years, particularly with the approval of the Presidential Permit to expand Camino Real International Bridge from six to 12 lanes and nearshoring manufacturing under the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement.
The two top exports crossing through the Port of Eagle Pass at the Camino Real International Bridge topped $1 billion each for the first time in 2024, being motor vehicle parts category and the gasoline and other refined petroleum, reported Ken Roberts.
With the expansion of the Camino Real International Bridge from six to 12 lanes, the City of Eagle Pass Port of Entry will meet the growing demands of cross-border trade between the United States and Mexico, daily traffic, and regional economic development while reducing the wait times to cross the border and significantly increase the commercial motor vehicle traffic through the bridge.
The City of Eagle Pass primary source of revenue for its annual fiscal year budget are the two international bridges owned by the City through its Eagle Pass International Bridge System, generating up to 50 percent of the City’s $58 million fiscal year budget.
The City of Eagle Pass hopes that Christmas will come to the City and its taxpayers in June 2025 with the approval of the Presidential Permit by Donald J. Trump to expand the Camino Real International Bridge from six to 12 lanes. Eagle Passans are on pins and needles awaiting the good news this month of June. Keep your fingers crossed.
