UPDATED AT 1:09 P.M. JAN. 16, 2019:
As travel increases in ports of entry, the Gateway International Bridge and Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates will be remodeled in about two to three years to expedite the border waiting times, a federal official said Tuesday.
Tater Ortiz, the port director of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Brownsville Port of Entry, said the Gateway bridge, also known as the “new bridge,” will be expanded.
“We’re also looking at … eventually remodeling or demolishing Gateway completely,” Ortiz said during his guest speaker presentation at ¡Despierta Brownsville! “The goal would be to … expand it to 10 vehicle lanes and up to 10 pedestrian lanes as well. It looks like that may happen now with Congress trying to push in the technology aspect to the ports of entry.”
The Rider contacted Eduardo Perez, chief of staff of the CBP Field Operations Brownsville Port of Entry, and asked how much the renovations will cost, Perez replied that a feasibility study for the projects is still in the process.
“They have not determined a total amount, but that’s really not public information yet,” he said. “With everything that the government is being shut down right now, everything’s on hold.”
During ¡Despierta Brownsville! which took place at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Ortiz spoke about the Office of Field Operation’s role in securing U.S. borders, securing and improving the movement of people and goods, and CBP’s mission. The event was organized by the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce.
At the Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates, four extra vehicle lanes are expected to be added, according to Ortiz.
These projects have the purpose of adapting to the “increase in travel, whether it’d be commercial or private sector,” he said.
In an interview with The Rider, Ortiz said events, such as ¡Despierta Brownsville! allow “the community to see who CBP is, what we do and how we can work together as a community.”
Asked how the bridges’ remodeling would affect UTRGV students who commute from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, he replied the bridges will not be closed during the remodeling process.
“We’ll find a way to not impede their crossing,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz began his career in the U.S. Marine Corps and joined the CBP in 1992. He was appointed port director in November 2018 and currently manages a workforce of 500. One of his responsibilities is overseeing the processing of over 9 million passengers and 4 million vehicles annually.
Among the audience was Jesus Roberto Rodriguez, president of Texas Southmost College.
Rodriguez said the event helps to have a better understanding of the complexity of controlling the flow of international commerce and people.
“We have a mutual relationship that’s beneficial to two countries,” he said. “It’s great for us to get a better understanding of that, so we can do a better job … and see how we can leverage our resources and work more cooperatively with our federal institutions.”
E. Thomas Coyle Jr., UTRGV associate professor in the International Business and Entrepreneurship department, attended the event and told The Rider the presentation is a great opportunity for students in this region.
“The one thing that we have in the university, if you look at all the things that are really great, No. 1 is location,” Coyle said. “We’re here. So, we have an opportunity to train our students, not only educate them, but train them in international business.”
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