Today's LMT published some figures indicating that bridge crossings are down compared to last year's. The volume of non-commercial traffic is down, as is pedestrial traffic. Given these facts, City manager Carlos Villarreal and LDF Roger Creery both went on the record as saying that a new bridge is not needed. It would, it seems, just be a waste of money. This may be true- at this particular point in time. However, I thought that projects such as bridges and other infrastructure were supposed to be built "for future needs". Consider that the city and county actively worked on plans for a new bridge for over 10 years without making much headway. What is to say that they can afford to put those plans aside based simply on current figures which are reflective of economically down times. Why the seemingly organized resistance all of a sudden to move forward with the bridge? Will McAllen continue to eat our lunch in the future. Just how much of our lunch can McAllen eat anyway?
McA is eating our lunch and Pudding Cup already, and following us home for dinner. Again, great post!
ReplyDeleteYea, I noticed McAllen's been putting on a bit of weight-compliment of Laredo's inaction. Thanks for checking out the blog.
ReplyDeleteI just got a press release from my friend at Customs. They are celebrating the opening of a new bridge between Donna & Rio Bravo, MX.
ReplyDeleteThis is their last paragraph:
"Earlier this year in January, the United States and Mexico opened the Anzalduas International Bridge between McAllen, Texas and Reynosa, Tamaulipas, the first new U.S.-Mexico bridge in 10 years. In November, the United States and Mexico opened a new commercial crossing at San Luis, Arizona-San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora. Today’s inauguration of the Donna-Rio Bravo bridge marks the third new crossing in 2010. These openings, along with multi-million dollar expansion and renovation projects at several other critical border crossings, will improve trade and enhance the safety, security, and environment of border communities in both nations."
The problem is that it takes SO MUCH to build a bridge even if the revenues could be there to support it. The fight between city & county has been ongoing for yeaaaars y por mensos no se ha hecho, ni han podido decidir DONDE ponerla. They have been given options, even by Mexico who has to also agree because 1/2 would be theirs but... que fregados.
I didn't know about the Sonoran bridge but I just posted an entry about the new Donna-Rio Bravo bridge. I understand that President Calderon was there. Thanks for the valuable info as always.
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