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Progreso Bridge and Nuevo
Progreso. Their history is intertwined.
The Progreso/Nuevo Progreso International Bridge has been in
operation at this location since 1952. During the first years
of operation
the bridge had relatively low crossings of pedestrians, automobile,
and commercial traffic. When it opened, it was open 5:00 am to
12:00 pm. Toll was Southbound only. Beginning in the 70's, an
increase in all three categories of crossing was seen. In 1981
Cargill, Inc. constructed an elevator here for the exportation
of corn and grain to Mexico. This exportation of agriculture
products
continued to grow to the point that four elevators are now exporting
agriculture products to Mexico (corn, grain sorghum, cotton seed,
beans, and popcorn). With the signing of the NAFTA agreement,
a substantial increase in commercial traffic in both directions
has developed and a new bridge was seen as necessary. Pictured
below is the original bridge taken about 1960.
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The State of Texas recognizes the
importance of the Progreso Bridge. From 1993 through the end
of 1997, the Texas Department
of Transportation
invested over $10 million in FM 1015, which connects to US
83 and points north. TxDOT invested over $5 million more in
1998
and in 1999 to provide for five lanes of traffic.
The new bridge was completed in 2003 and has been
an instant success. With it's broad covered walkways on each side
the walk across has become a delight. Four lanes of traffic speed
the flow of cars going either way. The soon to be opened truck
bridge, located to the East side, will remove the heavy truck
traffic and will make the crossing even more pleasurable.
Bridge traffic has been very substantial over
the past decade, both Southbound and Northbound. Since
2000, about1.25 million pedestrians cross the bridge each year. Another
million cars make the Southbound crossing. Truck and tour
bus traffic has also increased steadily. Much of the truck
crossing now carries grain, primarily corn for tortillas, to
Mexico. Very little truck cargo crosses from Mexico, although
this is expected to change with the opening of the new truck
bridge.
The Port of Entry building will soon be remodeled. Pictures
of the architect's views of the facility are shown below.
South side entrance which you'll see as you return across
the bridge into the U.S.
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The concourse will be broadened and upgraded. There will
be three counters to handle the crush of returning shoppers. |
This is the North side, which most people
ignore as they head for their cars. |
Nuevo Progreso 
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