International commercial bridge (PVGTB) proposed as a solution to border economic problems

English Translation

Due to the arrival of thousands of migrants to the border of Coahuila, international bridges were closed and access restricted by the U.S. authorities

International commercial bridge proposed as a solution to border economic problems

September 23, 2023

By Jesús Castro

The U.S. authorities would only restrict entry to individuals in order to keep this commercial bridge open

Saltillo, Coah.- Governos-elect Manolo Jiménez Salinas claimed that one solution to the economic problem caused by the closing of the bridges and borders in the United States due to caravans of migrants is to build an international exclusive commercial bridge in Piedras Negras.

This week, it was reported that because of the arrival of thousands of migrants to the border of Coahuila, the international bridges were closed and the U.S. authorities restricted access, causing economic losses due to the large amount of merchandise from both countries unable to cross or taking too long to cross the border.

In view of this situation, Manolo Jiménez said that during his meeting with Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, they both discussed a proposal to widen the second international bridge in Piedras Negras, but also in order to build a third bridge.

“We also talked about a project that is also the pipeline, which is a private sector initiative, consisting of building a commercial bridge, exclusive commercial and a railroad, additional, like a third bridge, but focused on commerce and with high technology,” explained the governor-elect.

He stated that in case the bridge was to be built amid situations such as those of the last few weeks in Coahuila, the U.S. authorities would only restrict entry to individuals in order to keep the commercial bridge open, so as not to stop the exchange of products coming from both countries, without collapsing the Coahuila-American economies.

“Because on that bridge, now there would be pure commerce, there would be a set of logistics where there is already a previous check and it flows much faster”, added Manolo Jiménez.

Meanwhile, yesterday, calm returned to Piedras Negras and Eagle Pass, and authorities transferred more than 3,500 migrants to processing centers, both there and in Laredo and Donna, but it is estimated that this weekend Ferromex routes from Monterrey will be reactivated, thus around 6,000 more people will arrive at this border to try to cross Río Bravo.

Video Translation

In light of the economic problems caused, as it has been caused before, by the closing of customs and international bridges on the Coahuila border by the U.S. government, as part of the reaction to the atypical caravans of migrants arriving in Piedras Negras, Manolo Jiménez Salinas, governor-elect of the state, claimed that the private sector proposed a solution and intend to act it out. The projects aim to widen the second bridge of Piedras Negras, for a project that is also in the pipeline by the private initiative that plans to build a commercial bridge, an exclusive commercial railroad bridge. Additional? Yes, additional, like a third bridge, but focused on commerce, with high technology where it can flow much faster. That would work out well now that it is closed due to the migration situation, right? Yes, because on that bridge, now there would be pure commerce, there would be some type of logistics where there is already a previous check. And there would be no economic losses. And it flows much faster, doesn’t it? The governor-elect stated that in case this bridge was to be built amid situations such as those of the last few weeks in Coahuila with the arrival of migrants to the Coahuila border, the U.S. authorities would only restrict entry to individuals, thus the commercial bridge would remain open so as not to stop the exchange of products coming from both countries without collapsing the Coahuila American economy. Jesús Castro reported for Tele Zócalo.