Del Rio’s Second International Bridge Permit Could Be Finalized Within Weeks

• The consultant working on Del Rio’s second international bridge is expected to finalize the presidential permit within weeks.
• Commercial bridge traffic increased 15.93% in August.
• Officials said long wait times in Eagle Pass are helping bring more commercial traffic to Del Rio.

DEL RIO, Texas — Del Rio’s proposed second international bridge is moving closer to a major step in the approval process, with city officials saying the project’s presidential permit could be finalized within the next few weeks.

During the September 23 International Bridge Board meeting, officials said the consultant working on the project remains on track to complete the permit documents soon.

Once the city receives the documents, officials said they will review and approve them before moving forward with formal submission. The permit will also be brought before the International Bridge Board for review prior to submission.

The update represents another step in the long-term effort to develop a second international crossing between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña.

The project is also being connected to the continued development of the I-27 and Ports-to-Plains corridor. Mayor Alvaro Barriola said during the meeting that the I-27 route is becoming more of a reality and could play an important role in supporting Del Rio’s second international bridge.

The bridge update comes as Del Rio is also seeing growth in commercial crossings at its existing international bridge.

Commercial traffic increased 15.93% in August, while cars and pickups decreased 8.25%. Bridge officials also reported an increase of 875 trucks during the month.

Officials said one factor contributing to the commercial growth may be long wait times in Eagle Pass, adding that more companies have been opening bridge accounts in Del Rio.

The International Bridge reported $766,455.62 in total bank deposits for August, including more than $544,000 in toll crossing income.

While there is still a lengthy approval and development process ahead, completion of the presidential permit would mark an important step toward moving Del Rio’s proposed second international bridge forward.

City officials said the Bridge Board will be updated once the permit documents are received and ready for review.