McALLEN — After southbound car crossings dropped significantly at international bridges in October, that trend continued in November at both the Anzalduas and Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridges.
Comparing November 2016 to November 2017, 12,223 fewer cars traveled south over the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge, a 5 percent drop. At the Anzalduas International Bridge, also comparing November 2016 to November 2017, 25,099 fewer cars crossed southbound into Mexico, a 29 percent decline.
McAllen Bridge Board members asked at Monday’s board meeting what the problem has been. Rigo Villarreal, Superintendent of Bridges, cited the devaluating peso, violence in Mexico and President Trump’s negative rhetoric toward Mexicans.
“The violence in Reynosa is the primary problem,” City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez added.
Leadership of the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge also pointed to violence in Mexico during a November review of its declining numbers.
“We’ve had one of our worst months of violence in Mexico we can remember,” Pharr Bridge Director of Operations Fred Brouwen said.
