State of Coahuila Governor Hosts Camino Real International Bridge Expansion Conference
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2025
The State of Coahuila, Mexico Governor Manolo Jimenez Salinas hosted a Camino Real International Bridge Expansion Conference on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at the Governor’s Palace in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, with City of Eagle Pass, Texas Mayor Aaron Valdez and City of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico Mayor Carlos Jacobo Rodriguez Gonzalez as special guests.
Governor Jimenez Salinas highlighted the importance of completing the expansion of the City of Eagle Pass’ Camino Real International Bridge from six to 12 lanes for the State of Coahuila and the economic development growth that is expected to occur upon completion of the expansion project.
Governor Jimenez Salinas cited the significant investment made by the State of Coahuila in expanding Highway 57 from Piedras Negras, Coahuila, to Saltillo, Coahuila to handle the increased international trade anticipated to cross through the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras Port of Entry upon completion of the Camino Real International Bridge Expansion to 12 lanes. He cited the State of Coahuila’s completion of the roads and highways leading up to the Camino Real International Bridge on the Mexican side of the project within the City of Piedras Negras, Coahuila.
Governor Jimenez Salinas noted the expansion of the Camino Real International Bridge to 12 lanes is a top priority for the State of Coahuila and its future economic development plans.
Representing Eagle Pass at the conference was Mayor Aaron Valdez, City Manager Homero Balderas, Jr., and Assistant City Manager Ivan Morua. Mayor Valdez stated “we held a very productive meeting with Governor Manolo Jimenez Salinas where we continued to advance one of the most important binational projects for our region, the expansion of International Bridge No. 2.”
Mayor Valdez added that “this project—directly linked to the modernization of Highway 57—is not just an infrastructure investment, it is a long-term investment in the future of Eagle Pass. It strengthens our competitiveness, improves mobility for families and businesses, and opens new opportunities for economic growth on both sides of the border.”
Valdez noted that “during this meeting, we reaffirmed our shared responsibility by signing an institutional commitment to increase coordination and keep moving this project forward with determination. Eagle Pass succeeds when partners on both sides of the Rio Grande work with a common purpose. And that is exactly what we are doing.”
The parties signed a commitment letter agreeing to working together in coordinating the successful completion of the bridge expansion project to 12 lanes in an expeditious manner.
The City of Eagle Pass took longer than anticipated in obtaining the Presidential Permit for expansion of the Camino Real International Bridge until May 2025, causing delays of the project. The City of Eagle Pass has also had turnover issues with the City’s International Bridge System General Manager position with the last two occupants resigning. City Manager Homero Balderas Jr. has taken over the reins of managing the City’s International Bridge System since September 12, 2025 when the last General Manager resigned after receiving a severance package from the City of Eagle Pass.
The City of Eagle Pass is in the midst of a $23 million realignment of roadways project as a prelude to commencing any expansion work on the Camino Real International Bridge, which is estimated to take between one and a half to two years to complete. Once the realignment of the roadways project is completed, the City estimates it will take between two to three years to complete the expansion of the Camino Real International Bridge from six to 12 lanes.
Governor Jimenez Salinas and the State of Coahuila hope the City of Eagle Pass will fulfill its obligations to timely complete the expansion of the Camino Real International Bridge as the State of Coahuila, the City of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, and the City of Eagle Pass, Texas economic development future depends on successfully completing the bridge expansion project.
