The Laredo, Texas , City Council approved on June 15, 2026, by a vote of seven to two, a phased increase in toll rates for the international bridges, effective from January 2027 to January 2029, with an automatic annual adjustment beginning in 2030. The decision was made against the recommendation of the Laredo Port of Entry Advisory Committee and generated public rejection from at least three representative organizations in the sector: the Nuevo Laredo Freight Carriers Association (ATC) , the Laredo Motor Carriers Association (LMCA) , and the Association of Logistics & Forwarding Agents (ALFA), which represents freight forwarders and logistics companies.

The controversial decision by the Laredo City Council was voted against by Mayor Victor Treviño and Councilwoman Alyssa Cigarroa but approved by the majority, who based their vote on Ordinance 2026-O-114. The city government argues that inflation, labor costs, maintenance, technology, insurance, public safety, debt service, and infrastructure have increased substantially since the last rate update (2017) for commercial and pedestrian tolls (2013) for non-commercial vehicles . Therefore, they proposed a phased increase plan as a responsible alternative to a single, much larger adjustment.

It should be noted that the main users of the Laredo international commercial bridges ( World Trade Bridge in Laredo and Solidarity in Colombia) have publicly rejected this increase.

ATC, LMCA, and ALFA all rejected the toll increase, though each from a different perspective: ATC focused its objection on the City Council’s disregard for the recommendation of its own Port of Entry Advisory Committee, which voted 12 to 1 against the increase, and on the inappropriate timing given the uncertainty surrounding the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA); ALFA was more emphatic regarding leadership, noting that the decision sends the wrong signal to those who generate employment and investment and that efficiency alternatives should have been explored before passing the cost on to the user; and LMCA, with the most conciliatory tone of the three, did not oppose the need for infrastructure funds but rather the process followed , highlighting that the city collected approximately $88 million in tolls in 2025, of which, by a 1998 resolution, roughly half is transferred to the general municipal fund instead of being prioritized for the operation and expansion of the bridges themselves. They agree that the decision was made without exhausting alternatives and without listening to the sector that best knows the daily operation of what is recognized as the most dynamic land crossing for goods in America, which concentrates about 42% of the trade between Mexico and the United States and with a daily crossing, just through the World Trade Bridge, of between 16 and 18 thousand tractor trucks.

Use of the increased resources

However, it is important to note that while the ordinance states that the first priority of the bridge system’s revenue is operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, technological modernization, public safety, debt service, reserves, and infrastructure preservation, the same text recognizes that the bridge system must continue to generate revenue for municipal purposes “authorized in accordance with city policy,” meaning that the historical transfer to the general fund is neither modified nor limited.

Not everything is gray.

Something to highlight in the ordinance presented to the City Council is that the municipal government of Laredo is obligated to present an Annual Performance Report detailing income, expenses, debt, reserves, crossings, among others.

But perhaps the most important commitment assumed by the government and the City Council is the clause on extraordinary economic conditions, which indicates that the City Council can postpone, suspend, or modify future adjustments in the face of federal tariffs, changes to the USMCA, changes in the operation of CBP or Mexican customs, recession, pandemics, or supply chain disruptions.

They also proposed the mandatory review of the tariff study every five years at most and the authorization of commercial traffic management programs through incentives for peak/off-peak hours, volume, seasonal or promotional prices.

What’s coming

Although the increase might be considered marginal, it does reduce the competitiveness of the International Bridges and could make other crossings attractive for goods that do not depend on this route.

While customs agents or logistics operators will not pay this toll directly, they will be pressured with tariff adjustments by the trucking industry.

The aforementioned clause for an automatic 4% increase starting in 2030 fails to consider future scenarios of uncertainty, such as those experienced this year under the Trump administration. Trade dynamics cannot be dictated by decree. If, by then, the USMCA faces adverse renegotiation or new tariffs, this automatic increase could strike the sector at its most vulnerable moment.

What we will see in the coming days or months is increased pressure from the foreign trade sector to truly be taken into account in such crucial decisions that directly impact its competitiveness. But above all, we will see increased pressure to create a more cohesive bloc that promotes a more efficient revenue-sharing formula for bridges, one that is exclusively earmarked for the costs of infrastructure, technology, operation, and administration of international bridges, and not for municipal operating expenses.

*Eleazar Ixba is a marketing and institutional communication consultant with more than 25 years of experience in transportation and logistics, with a focus on cross-border issues.

Connect with Eleazar on LinkedIn.

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The Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) program in Laredo, Texas, continues to be an option for Mexican importers and exporters, allowing them to optimize their cash flow , maintain storage in the United States, and can even be used with products subject to certain quotas.

Federico Schaffler, Laredo’s Foreign Trade Administrator and head of the city’s FTZ, explained that they have experienced strong growth in the first six months of the year , thanks to the strategy of reaching out to Mexican customs agents through their U.S. counterparts.

He explained that one of the benefits provided by the FTZ is that any merchandise that enters the country does not pay tariffs or taxes until it enters the North American market.

“This is a huge advantage for companies because, at a given time, their inventories are already in the United States, and they don’t pay taxes until they make sales, until they enter the market. This represents a huge advantage for importers and exporters, allowing them to make better use of their resources; that is, they don’t need to pay the full price of their exports until they enter the market,” he explained.

He also mentioned that if merchandise from Canada destined for Mexico needs to remain in the United States, it can use the FTZ to avoid paying taxes , meaning it can be used to re-export it to a third country, such as Spain or Italy.

In addition, it allows Mexican exporters to have part of their inventory in the United States, among other advantages .

“Merchandise can be stored indefinitely in the FTZ, while bonded warehouses have a certain temporary nature. To use an FTZ, you need a special number with CBP and within the warehouse area,” he explained.

He specified that there are currently 54 operators in Laredo managing 65 FTZs, and six are awaiting approval, as well as 12 that will be sought to join.

“We’re growing a lot, and it’s important for Mexican and American customs brokers to offer added value to their clients and become more competitive. In the second half of the year, I hope to reach 80 locations and at least 70 operators,” he said.

Regarding the U.S. government’s tariff policy, Schaffler stated that it has sparked interest in FTZs, not only in Laredo but throughout the United States. He said it’s “better to have this program than not to have it,” given the benefits it offers to trade.

“Operating an FTZ will help them at some point control these operations and know when they can ship their merchandise and place it on the North American market, but those are decisions made by the importing and exporting companies,” he emphasized.

He commented that Mexican customs brokers will have support and guidance to operate a foreign trade zone in Laredo, as this will increase their competitiveness as a company and bring economic benefits to their clients.

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To expedite trade crossings between Mexico and the United States, $160 million will be invested in infrastructure improvements to the World Trade Bridge and the Colombia Solidaridad International Bridge , strengthening the main interchange point between the two countries: Laredo, Texas.

Elsa Hinojosa, director of Bridge Systems for the City of Laredo, said the work will help reduce congestion and handle more and new products, such as medical equipment and perishables.

“We’re working together with CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection). We want to have more crossings of avocados, tomatoes, strawberries, and berries. We have the cold chain, the facilities, and the qualified people to supervise and prevent pests,” he commented.

He recalled that they received presidential permission for the World Trade Bridge on May 31, 2024, and are currently working with the CBP and Nuevo Laredo authorities .

Now they are just waiting for approval of the environmental project , which is expected to be completed in June 2026. The project will have an investment of $45 million.

Meanwhile, the presidential permit for the Colombia Solidarity Bridge was approved on June 16, and meetings have already begun to promote applications, contracts, and plans for this infrastructure . An investment of $115 million is expected for this project.

“These two bridges will help us expand, reduce traffic jams, and speed up crossings,” he said.

He explained that the funds will be allocated to maintenance and renovation of the administrative buildings on both bridges , as well as to innovation, technology, booth maintenance, staff expansion, security, upgrades, and reinforcements.

Regarding technology investments, he explained that they will be for projects such as completing certain online procedures and making payments via credit or debit cards.

“What’s affecting us now is that the companies don’t have the funds, and we have to stop traffic, and that’s what we’re working on, the online application,” he explained, adding that they hope this option will be ready next September.

Regarding any impact on crossings due to the United States tariff policy, Hinojosa commented that no decrease has been recorded so far .

“We’re waiting until August 1st to see if there will be any more changes. Customs agencies are working on the changes. They’re giving them 30 or 90 days, and by next week there will be more changes, but we have to adapt to any tariff or duty. We have to look to the future and not see uncertainty, working together. Changes are coming, and we have to adapt, and the crossings have to continue. The city of Laredo moves the world. It crossed $339 billion in trade last year, and of that, $331 billion was with Mexico,” he said.

He also indicated that the issue of English language proficiency among transporters has not had any impact .

Regarding the Gloria-Colombia Highway, which connects Monterrey with Texas, Hinojosa explained that this infrastructure has seen an increase in crossings due to security concerns .

“It helped us a lot, and we hope for more crossings. We’re promoting Port Laredo, the bridges, and this highway,” he said.

Currently, there are 21,000 daily north-south crossings across both bridges, and they estimate a 3% increase by the end of 2025. At the end of last year, they recorded a 6% increase.

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This figure marked a historic record for the monthly dollar value of cargo moved between these countries, according to BTS’s cross-border cargo data program.

In March 2025, trucks moved $94.2 billion in cargo , a 9.5% increase compared to March 2024. According to the US agency, $67.5 billion with Canada and $77.3 billion with Mexico were transported by road.

“Trucks transport more than 60% of surface trade along the northern and southern land borders. Among major transportation modes, such as rail, air, and sea, road transport is the most efficient and cost-effective way to ship goods. For cross-border shipments, it offers faster transit times compared to rail, which involves longer routes and multiple handling points,” BTS noted.

In this regard, the Laredo crossing handled $30.5 billion in the third month of 2025, representing a 12.4% increase compared to March 2024.

“Laredo’s location provides the most direct route between major industrial and populated areas on both sides. It is close to manufacturing centers like Monterrey and Guadalajara. Laredo also maintains a robust transportation infrastructure, including highways, bridges (i.e., global trade and solidarity with Colombia), rail yards, and pre-clearance processing facilities,” he explained.

The agency indicated that computers, electronic products such as semiconductors, and mechanical auto parts were the main basic inputs in U.S. merchandise trade with Canada and Mexico.

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Next weekend, from June 13-15, the NASCAR Cup Series will hold its first points-scoring race outside the United States, with the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez being the track where the cars’ engines will roar.

This coming weekend, Nascar cars will take to the track to celebrate the Nascar Cup Series and Nascar Xfinity Series , categories that run on circuits in the United States, as well as the Nascar Mexico Series , the category that is held in the country.

On June 8th, after the race concluded at Michigan International Speedway , where Joe Gibb Racing’s Danny Hamlin won, the teams had to prepare for their journey from Chicago, through Laredo , the main border crossing between Mexico and the United States, and then continue along Highway 57, the highway that will take them to Mexico City to set up camp at the Hermano Rodríguez Racetrack.

For this weekend’s NASCAR competition, more than 200 haulers (specialized trailers) will be mobilized to transport the cars, tools, and all the necessary equipment to get them on the track, where they will have to travel 3,580 kilometers from Michigan International Speedway in Chicago to Hermanos Rodríguez in the Iztacalco district of Mexico City.

According to various social media accounts in the motorsports sector, the first haulers for the Xfinity Series category will begin to be installed on the track at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez tomorrow, Tuesday , and the ones for the Nascar Cup Series will be installed on Wednesday .

Some haulers began arriving in Laredo, Texas, on Sunday night, according to some operators who posted on the Facebook account 57ymas.

Unlike Formula 1 , where teams cross dry cargo across the Laredo border, as the pre-race is in Austin, Texas, most teams travel by air, landing at Mexico City International Airport and then traveling just five kilometers to reach the Hermanos Rodríguez Racetrack.

This weekend in the NASCAR Cup Series, Daniel Suárez of Trackhouse Racing is driving the number 99 car, ranking 14th in the 41-race championship.

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Last February, the international crossings of Laredo, El Paso, and Otay Mesa were the main ports for the movement of truck-borne cargo between the United States and Mexico, while Detroit, Port Huron, and International Falls are the most important rail ports for freight flows.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the most mobile cargo on land during the second month of the year was computer parts, electrical machinery, and vehicle spare parts.

While for the railroad, they were vehicles, beverages and machinery, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) agency specified .

The BTS reported that freight across various modes of transportation between the United States and Mexico totaled $68.4 billion during the second half of the year, a 2% increase compared to February 2024.

The agency also reported that cross-border trade in the North American region continued to show growth last February, closing the period with a 2.1% increase compared to the same month in 2024.

This translates into $131.6 billion in cross-border cargo moved by all modes of transport.

Trucks moved merchandise valued at $86.6 billion, up 3.9% year-over-year.

While $15.1 billion of goods traveled via rail, 11.7% less than in February 2024.

Pipelines carried $10 billion of cargo, up 23.1% year-over-year, ships carried $7.7 billion of cargo, down 22.9%, and air transport moved $4.8 billion of cargo , up 4.8% from the same period last year.

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In October 2024, Averitt began operations with a warehouse in San Antonio, Texas, strengthening its service and infrastructure offering by connecting the regions of Laredo, San Antonio, Austin, Waco and Dallas, via Highway 35 that crosses Texas.

The San Antonio office was conceived as an alternative to strengthen companies participating in nearshoring , so that they have options to be more efficient in their supply chains.

The San Antonio warehouse has 85,000 square feet (7,896 m2) of space and has 78 docks, compared to the previous facility with 38. In addition, the warehouse is ideally located close to the San Antonio International Airport and Interstates 10, 410 and 35. “Highway 35 is essential for connecting trade with Mexico, and this route is where Averitt’s other facilities are integrated, where we have more than 700,000 square feet,” said Edward Habe, Vice President of Mexico Sales & Services for Averitt.

Averitt’s new facility has confirmed its viability for Mexican customers serving the North American market. “We have two customers using our San Antonio warehouse, which still has availability, and with the versatility of having lead times that adapt to the needs of exporters,” Habe added.

One of the concepts that Averitt promotes is that clients have smarter logistics, adapted to their needs and allowing them to make better use of the infrastructure available.

Something similar happened with the clients who occupied the spaces in the San Antonio warehouse, who, faced with the threat of tariffs being implemented from the first day of President Donald Trump’s administration , positioned merchandise from the other side of the border, to have that versatility.

“In the quest to have more efficient logistics, but above all to avoid complexities such as customs congestion or inclement weather, the infrastructure developed by Averitt allows us to take advantage of all the logistical potential; for example, fulfillment can be done from the San Antonio warehouse, benefiting the clients’ operations,” said Adrián Garza, Averitt’s commercial representative for Mexico.

Garza highlighted that the versatility of logistics operations for Averitt clients is complemented by the entire portfolio of services, which can be combined with FTL (Full Truck Load), LTL (Less Than Truck), dedicated transportation services, as well as storage or distribution.

In the perspective of Edward Habe and Adrián Garza, supply chains today prioritize having a multiplicity of solutions, which have the capacity to adapt to the speed of the market and the challenges involved in trade between Mexico and the United States.

One area where Averitt works is to generate the necessary solutions for each client, where companies can sometimes have very defined schemes, but which are not adapted to current market conditions, and this is where Averitt can offer, in addition to cutting-edge solutions, schemes that respond to the reality of the exchange between Mexico and the United States, thus contributing to the productivity of its clients.

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The Laredo border port is one of the fundamental pillars of trade between Mexico and the United States, consolidating itself as the land port with the highest volume of commercial exchange in North America, due to its strategic location on the border between Texas and Tamaulipas, although on the Mexican side it also connects with Nuevo León,which positions it as an essential logistics node for global supply chains.

This port not only facilitates 60% of trade between Texas and Mexico , but is also responsible for nearly 40% of total trade between Mexico and the United States , handling products ranging from industrial manufactures to consumer goods.

According to data from the United States Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP) , Laredo processes between 15,000 and 20,000 truck crossings daily, representing an annual commercial value of more than 300 billion dollars.

Alma L. Saldaña Cruz, Marketing Manager of Port Laredo , highlighted in an interview that these numbers underline the relevance of the border port not only for the regional economy, but for the economic integration of North America.

“Commerce in Port Laredo not only connects two countries, it connects industries and communities in a unique model of economic interdependence,” he said.

The Laredo border port has a robust infrastructure that includes four international bridges : the World Trade Bridge, the Colombia-Solidaridad Bridge, the Juárez-Lincoln Bridge and the Bridge of the Americas. Of these, the World Trade Bridge is the main one for cargo transportation, equipped with multiple lanes and advanced technological systems that allow for streamlined vehicular flow.

Technological innovations include dynamic scales that weigh trucks in motion, reducing waiting times without compromising accuracy.

High and low radiation X-ray inspection systems are also used , which eliminate the need for manual inspections in many cases, optimizing safety and efficiency.

Additionally, Port Laredo has more than 53 million square feet of warehouse space spread across nearly 60 industrial parks , facilitating the handling and distribution of goods.

On the other hand, its airport, with 24/7 operations, complements the needs of air trade, offering dual cargo inspection for exports to Mexico and other international markets.

The adoption of cutting-edge technologies is not only limited to physical infrastructure, but also to operational processes.

The FAST ( Free and Secure Trade ) program , part of the CTPAT initiative, allows certified companies to cross more quickly by ensuring high security standards in their supply chains.

Jerry Maldonado, president of the Laredo Motor Carrier Association (LMCA) , told T21 that Port Laredo is an innovation laboratory for the United States government.

“New technologies are tested here before being implemented elsewhere, because the volume of traffic allows us to identify problems and solutions quickly,” he explained.

Port Laredo is in a strategic expansion phase to meet the demands of projected commercial growth.

According to Maldonado, cargo volume will increase by an average of 5% to 7% annually over the next five years.

To respond to this growth, significant investments are being made in infrastructure, such as the expansion of the World Trade Bridge , which will increase its capacity by 1,500 daily crossings.

This project, which includes environmental studies and urban planning, is expected to be completed in December 2027.

Additionally, new access roads are being developed to ease traffic congestion in Laredo’s urban areas and facilitate more efficient flow to the international bridges.

Economic and social impact

The impact of Port Laredo goes beyond the economic, as the port generates thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the region , strengthening sectors such as transportation, logistics and commerce.

According to research from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute , each day of delay at the border crossing can cost businesses millions of dollars due to the cumulative impact on supply chains.

“Efficiency in Port Laredo is not just a benefit for carriers, it is an economic driver that affects the entire region,” Maldonado said.

Port Laredo is not only an example of logistics efficiency, but also a model of long-term strategic planning, and investments in technology, infrastructure and security programs reflect a commitment to remain competitive in an ever-evolving business environment.

“The port is vital to North America’s trade and economy. Our challenge is to anticipate the future, investing today in solutions that will allow us to continue leading tomorrow,” said Maldonado.

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The government of Nuevo León and the government of Texas, in the United States, signed a Letter of Intent for the development of a passenger rail route between Monterrey and Dallas .

Samuel García, governor of the state, mentioned that this project represents a great opportunity for economic, tourist and industrial development between both entities.

“We are looking at the possibility of making a fast train, a passenger train that can connect, I have been trying for three years, from Laredo to Austin,” he said.

Accompanied by Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Hays County Judge Rubén Becerra, the three representatives agreed that it is a great opportunity to connect both countries.

“We want to take advantage of this opportunity to build the first transnational train like in Europe, a passenger train that crosses borders, and we believe that Monterrey is the ideal place and that is why we want, from the State, from the counties, to promote this fast train that could reach Oklahoma,” explained García Sepúlveda.

Judge Andy Brown explained that more than 40 officials from the I-35 Corridor are working on this project , seeking to establish this train that would pass through Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Laredo.

“We can have a fast, even high-speed route that connects the United States and Mexico, because businessmen in Austin can get to Monterrey and vice versa. Austin and San Antonio are growing very quickly, as is Monterrey, so connecting them would facilitate access between both regions,” he said.

The letter will identify the opportunities and challenges associated with the development of this railway route, seeking economic cooperation, sustainable transport, and strengthening social and cultural ties between both regions.

Meanwhile, Judge Rubén Becerra recalled that the president-elect, Claudia Sheinbaum, has a strong interest in developing a train from Mexico City to Nuevo León, which could continue to the United States and become an ecosystem of commerce, tourism, infrastructure and industry .

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Based on records from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Forza Transportation Services Inc. achieved a distance of 92.9 million miles traveled in the United States in 2023, with a fleet of 729 semi-trucks.

Recently, Forza Transportation Services announced that it has incorporated its first electric semi-trucks, the Kenworth T680E, which according to information shared with T21, is the first of its kind in this region of Texas and will be operating for trade exchanges between Mexico and the United States.

“Electric trucks have become a crucial tool in our industry, as more and more customers demand solutions that do not negatively impact the environment, as diesel does,” commented Roberto Pérez, CEO of Forza.

Based on data from the United States Department of Commerce, Mexico remains the main trading partner of the U.S., with the Port of Laredo being the most important for foreign trade with the U.S. In the first half of 2024, the trade value reached 166 billion dollars (USD).

Given this high demand for trade, 17,000 trucks pass daily through the Laredo (TX) – Nuevo Laredo (Tamaulipas) region. Forza Transportation aims to integrate its electric semi-trucks to reduce emissions and operating costs.

The T680 electric truck can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (112 km/h), with a range of 200 miles (321.9 km) per battery charge. A notable feature is the battery recharge speed, which allows it to reach full charge and maximum range again in just three hours.

To strengthen its strategy, Forza Transportation is developing a solar panel farm to power a supercharger capable of charging up to 16 trucks per day. “At Forza, we are pioneers in the use of electric trucks in South Texas. The future is here, and we want to be prepared,” emphasized Pérez.

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