Three international bridges in Cameron County could be getting upgrades after U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, announced he managed to include millions in federal funding from the proposed $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package.
Final votes on that measure are not expected until the fall, the Associated Press reported this week.
If approved, Gateway International Bridge in Brownsville would receive $133 million to modernize and expand the bridge. Veterans International Bridge, also in Brownsville, and the Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios will also receive funding for cargo lot improvements, Vela’s office reported.
Funding the modernization and expansion of Gateway International Bridge has been the number one priority for Vela for years, Vela’s office said in a press release. Since 2015, he has worked with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. General Services Administration, Cameron County, the City of Brownsville, and Congressional colleagues on a full overhaul of the Gateway Bridge by bringing officials together to coordinate moving the project forward.
Vela said modernizing and expanding the Gateway International Bridge will not only bring good jobs to local communities and boost the region’s economy, but it will also strengthen “our national security and facilitate trade and travel.”
“As I prepare to retire from Congress at the end of this term, I look forward to helping get this legislation across the finish line in what will be one of the most consequential votes of my career,” said Vela. “Modernizing and expanding Brownsville’s Gateway International Port of Entry will not only bring good jobs to local communities and boost the region’s economy, but also strengthen our national security and facilitate trade and travel. Securing this funding has been my top priority while in Congress.”
Vela has been a leader in the fight to secure funding for all land ports of entry working closely with House leadership, House Appropriations Committee, House Homeland Security Committee, and House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, the release said.
“Over the last several years I have been working with Congressman Vela in securing funding for the remodernization of the Gateway Bridge port of entry,” said Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. “There has been no major investment at the Gateway port of entry since the Eisenhower era. I am pleased to know that funding to remodernize the Gateway Bridge is included in the White House/Senate bi partisan infrastructure bill.
“I urge the Members of the House to ensure the passage of this infrastructure legislation that will bring significant improvements to our ports of entry,” Trevino said.
Brownsville Mayor Trey Mendez said: “The Biden Administration and Congressman Vela’s commitment to the RGV has not gone unnoticed. We appreciate this much needed funding, which will assist with bridge improvements to enhance our ports of entry and ultimately assist the region with additional investment from our neighbors to the South. We would like to thank and commend Congressman Vela for his steadfast leadership on getting this funding approved.”
