For some, adding seven more lanes to the World Trade Bridge might not be such a big deal.

Of course, you’d have to not care about how important transportation, manufacturing and logistics play a role in Laredo’s business community to hold that idea.

This expansion project will offer truckers moving products and goods through the WTB less wait times, which equals more money in company and their pockets.

That, in turn, becomes more cost friendly for pushing items through this region.

"It will allow for the more efficient use of the facility," said Albert Quintanilla, Laredo District engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation.

"This will help get more trucks from across Mexico into Texas.

Hopefully, it will shorten wait times across the border to attract more business to this region instead of other parts of the nation.

"TxDOT here in Laredo watches that truck traffic so we will know where to go and work on making it easier for those trucks coming into Laredo," Quintanilla said.

"Because of all this truck traffic coming off Loop 20, with increased traffic we have a greater probability of gaining state and federal funds sooner to build additional main lanes of Loop 20 over Interstate 35."

For more than two years, the City of Laredo worked closely with the General Services Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection on this project.

Total cost of the project is $4.62 million and it will be constructed by Leyendecker Construction of Laredo.

Last Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony allows work to go full-speed ahead on making this happen.

"We’re still working to figure out about how wait times will be improved," Quintanilla said.

"In the long term, we want to post wait times for different locations along Interstate 35 so truckers would have a choice on which bridge they would want to cross.

"It might mean that more people will know more lanes available and turn into more truck traffic for Laredo."
GSA allocated $1.27 million to the City of Laredo toward its investment in the World Trade Bridge project. That’s the maximum that GSA could have done by law.

Funding for this project is available in the Capital Grants Fund and 2008 Bridge Revenue Bond in the City of Laredo.

One vital part of this whole expansion plan is raising the economic impact of Laredo in general.

"The expansion of the World Trade Bridge will be a tremendous asset for the business community in Laredo," said J.D. Salinas III, GSA regional administrator and former Hidalgo County judge.

"With the expansion of additional lanes, the reduction of wait times and congestion will help the economic prosperity of the city," Salinas said.

"(The) World Trade Bridge is a very busy commercial port and helping trade move more efficiently along the border will be great for the whole region."

As for his take, Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas (no relation) said, "The World Trade Bridge is one of the fastest, securest border crossings in the United States.

I want to assure our Mexican friends that this mayor is committed to this expansion.

It’s important that we are ready to receive and get products at the World Trade Bridge."

Nuevo Laredo Mayor Ramon Garza Barrios sees this opportunity as a way to revive both cities on the border.

"This expansion is very important for Region Laredo," Garza Barrios said.

"It’s a fact that when we work together, things get done."

Getting things done means opening more thoroughfares for commerce along the border, especially here in this area.

This expansion project makes that a reality and sets Laredo up for a bigger boost when manufacturing and trade activity continues picking up in 2010 and beyond.

(Joe Rutland may be reached at 728-2529 or jrutland@lmtonline.com)