Spotlight: 2 key Mexico-US border infra projects

Work on border infrastructure connecting the US and Mexico is progressing.

The US$400mn Nuevo Laredo international bridge and the 4bn-peso (US$206mn) Otay Mesa II port of entry are expected to reduce travel times, decrease congestion and facilitate trade. 

Nuevo Laredo international bridge

The rail bridge at the Laredo-Nuevo Laredo crossing on the Texas-Tamaulipas border is built by US rail operator Kansas City Southern (KCS). 

Construction started at the end of October and is planned to finish in 2024. According to KCS, the 350m freight bridge is being financed with own resources, which will be recovered by charging tolls.

The bridge will link to the Mex-85 highway and the I-35 and I-69 in the US. It will have capacity for 30,000 containers and 25,000 vehicles daily.

Otay Mesa II

Also known as Otay Mesa East, the port of entry between San Diego and Tijuana was paralyzed until US and Mexican officials rolled out a plan in 2020. 

With financing confirmed, the port is expected to be finished in 2024. However, delays were reported in November on the Mexican side, where defense ministry Sedena took over works in 2022. The obstacles relate to compensations for land, according to local media. 

Complementary construction includes highway works and toll plazas on both sides, in addition to an ICT tender set to be launched by the US. 

In September, BNamericas spoke with representatives from the San Diego Association of Governments (Sandag) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), which are leading the project. They provided details about financing and goals, highway works, toll plazas and the ICT tender.