Cameron County Receives Federal Authorization to Operate the Brownsville-Matamoros Bridge
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
Cameron County announced that it has received a Presidential Permit authorizing it to own, operate, and maintain the Brownsville & Matamoros (B&M Bridge), a key international crossing for trade between the United States and Mexico. The authorization was granted on July 30, 2026, and will allow the county to complete the acquisition of 50% ownership of the bridge by purchasing Union Pacific Railroad's stake in the northern portion of the international crossing. The agreement was unanimously approved by the Cameron County Commissioners Court in October 2025. Once the acquisition is finalized, the county plans to invest in modernizing the bridge's infrastructure, including new toll collection technologies, improvements to inspection facilities, and increased capacity for customs processing. The goal is to enhance efficiency, strengthen security, and facilitate the flow of international trade. Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. noted that this permit represents an opportunity to strengthen international trade through modernization and greater operational efficiency at land ports of entry. He also thanked Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, as well as Congressman Vicente González, for their support in obtaining the federal authorization. Precinct 1 Commissioner Sofía C. Benavides emphasized that this achievement will strengthen the relationship between Cameron County and Mexico by generating new opportunities for trade, cultural exchange, and transportation connections between the two communities. County Administrator Pete Sepulveda Jr. stated that this agreement is the result of several years of collaboration between Cameron County, Union Pacific, and other institutions, and assured that the improvements to the bridge, along with projects like the East Loop, will reinforce the region's role as one of the main trade corridors between the two countries. Once the acquisition is formally completed, Cameron County will own and operate four international bridges, incorporating the Brownsville-Matamoros Bridge with the same safety and modernization standards already applied at its other border crossings.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
