Port staff briefed the Port of Entry Advisory Committee on several operational and capital updates affecting local bridge operations, including a toll‑system vendor audit, border wait‑time sensor installation, new signage and progress on the World Trade Bridge environmental review and PS&E.

Toll system audit and vendor review

Staff said the city contracted an audit of the current toll vendor to verify lane counts, camera accuracy and toll processing. The audit report is pending; staff said if the vendor cannot provide required functionality the city may need to issue an RFP for replacement systems and integrate improved back‑office operations in the next fiscal year.

Border wait‑time sensors and signs

Staff said the city completed an executed agreement and is awaiting final review and sign‑off from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to allow sensor installation on the bridges; TxDOT requested documentation from city management and legal to finalize. The city reported receipt of two new “empty” signs for the horseshoe area and said larger I‑69 gantry signs were approved but must go through TxDOT’s procurement process (estimated 3–4 months for bid selection); installation costs and procurement were explained as part of an advanced funding agreement with TxDOT.

Account management and enforcement

Staff reported a reduction in U‑turn incidents (insufficient funds/unpaid tolls) from July to August (a decrease of 62 U‑turns) and lower collected NSF fees in August versus July. Staff also noted a total of 7,634 accounts with auto‑replenish enabled and described recent user interface fixes to reduce account creation errors.

World Trade Bridge expansion

Staff reported the World Trade Bridge expansion environmental assessment at approximately 90% complete and the PS&E submittal also at about 90%; staff said they expect the environmental assessment to be finalized around November and are meeting monthly with CBP and the consultant team to advance the project.

Committee requests and next steps

Committee members asked for the toll‑system audit findings and for the consultant to present the audit results to the committee when available. Staff said they will coordinate scheduling and provide additional documentation on sensor permits, procurement timing and the World Trade Bridge environmental schedule.

No formal committee votes were taken on capital funding or contracts at the meeting.