The Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville, Texas, is getting a major upgrade to improve traffic flow.
The renovation project, worth $264 million, has been awarded to Brasfield & Gorrie, a construction company based in Alabama, as per the General Services Administration (GSA).
The project will include doubling the primary vehicle inspection lanes from five to 10 and adding nine more covered secondary inspection spaces, increasing the total to 24.
A new administration building for U.S. Customs and Border Protection will also be built as part of the renovation, Border Report mentioned.
The Gateway International Bridge, originally built in the 1920s, has had few updates since the 1990s. The upcoming renovations will include replacing the current 22,000-square-foot administration building with a new, modern 48,000-square-foot facility, adding a new 9,000-square-foot outbound inspection area, and building new parking lots for staff and visitors.
The design phase is set to start in February, with construction beginning in the summer of 2026. The project is expected to be completed by late 2029. The updated bridge will become an all-electric port with energy-efficient and water-saving features, according to the GSA.
GSA Acting Deputy Commissioner Pete Flores said, "This complete overhaul of the primary lanes and CBP administrative building infrastructure at Gateway is a vital, much-needed project that will provide our employees with the updated workspace essential to fulfilling our national and economic security mission."
The renovation of the Gateway International Bridge will allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to handle more passenger vehicles and pedestrian traffic while maintaining border security. This will be achieved through the use of CBP officers, trained canines, and advanced inspection technology, as per Flores.
According to the GSA, approximately 92,000 passenger vehicles and 89,000 pedestrians cross the bridge each month, traveling between Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico. The bridge is also a key site on the Southwest border where CBP conducts asylum interviews with migrants who schedule appointments using the CBP One app.
GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan explained that the planned upgrades will have multiple benefits. They will create high-quality jobs that strengthen the economy and national security, lower taxpayer costs through energy-efficient designs, and contribute to a stronger, more sustainable future for local communities.
United States Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, noted that the modernization of the Brownsville-Gateway Land Port of Entry will improve facilities, make daily operations more efficient, and reduce wait times.
Representative of the United States Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, said the project was a positive development for South Texas, as it will enhance security, reduce delays, and support the growing demand for cross-border movement.
These improvements will help maintain Brownsville's competitiveness as a key trade, tourism, and travel location. The Gateway International Bridge is owned and managed by Cameron County.
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