World Trade International Bridge

World Trade International Bridge
Official name World Trade International Bridge
Other name(s) Laredo International Bridge 4
Carries Commercial Vehicles Only
Crosses Rio Grande
Locale Laredo, Texas
Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas
Maintained by City of Laredo
Secretariat of Communication and Transportation
Design Box Girder Bridge
Total length 977 ft (343 m)
Width 262 ft (80 m)
Opened 2000
Toll Commercial Vehicles
$3.75 per Axle
Daily traffic Commercial:
3,579
Bridge Location

The World Trade International Bridge is one of 4 international bridges located in the cities of Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, that connect the United States and Mexico over the Rio Grande (Río Bravo). It is owned and operated by City of Laredo and the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (Mexico's federal Secretariat of Communication and Transportation). It is also known as Laredo International Bridge 4.

Contents

History

The World Trade International Bridge's construction started on September 30, 1998, and the bridge was completed on April 15, 2000. The international bridge was named in honor of a free World Trade market, because international trade is one of the key components to the Laredo / Nuevo Laredo economies. The World Trade International Bridge was built to alleviate traffic congestion in Interstate Highway 35 south through Laredo, Texas since most commercial traffic could only cross through the one lane dedicated to commercial vehicles at Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge or the further north Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge in Nuevo Leon.

Description

The World Trade International Bridge is an fourteen-lane bridge. The bridge is 977 feet (298 m) long and 262 feet (80 m) wide. The international bridge is for commercial traffic only. The bridge is also known as Laredo North, Bridge 4, Laredo IV, Puente Internacional Nuevo Laredo III and Puente del Comercio Mundial Nuevo Laredo III.[1]
The World Trade International Bridge is Nuevo Laredo's third international bridge and Laredo's fourth since Laredo's third (Laredo International Bridge 3) is located at the Nuevo Leon/Texas border.

Future plans

The City of Laredo has been talking to the Mexican Government about expanding the World Trade International Bridge by adding nine more lanes by 2012, in order to cut down delays of the movement of goods.

Location

This bridge is located in the Northwestern Loop 20 termini in Laredo, Texas and in north Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas at the Mexican Federal Highway 85D termini.

Hours of Operation
24 hours Monday-Friday 8AM - 4PM Saturday
10AM - 2PM Sunday

All times Central Time Zone

References

External links