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Trustees hear updates on International Bridge projects, lane expansion and toll-system transition
Summary
Board received updates on International Bridge 1 and 2 projects, Bridge 2 lane-expansion planning, a vendor change for toll systems and a Texas A&M camera pilot intended to display bridge wait times; staff said the presidential permit process is ongoing.
At the Feb. 20, 2025 meeting in Eagle Pass, operations staff updated the EP Bridal System Board of Trustees on completed and proposed bridge projects, project timelines and coordination with state and federal agencies.
Operations staff said completed project reports for International Bridge 1 and Bridge 2 were in the board packet and that the agency is continuing work on a Bridge 2 lane-expansion and realignment project. The presenter said the project has required coordination with TxDOT and historic-preservation requirements and that the team has obtained concurrence on some park-related requirements.
“We are currently working, and we’ve gotten them a concurrence in reference to some of the parks requirements that we have,” an operations staff member said. The staff member said the agency is negotiating whether bridge-deck expansion can be incorporated into the overall project scope and that toll-system upgrades are proceeding through a vendor transition. To avoid delay during the changeover, staff said they are temporarily using an existing lane to maintain operations.
Staff reported they met with Texas A and M, which is expected to install additional cameras on International Bridge 2 to display estimated crossing times and measure traffic flow. Staff also described ongoing coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); CBP has been cooperative and has used a seasonal lane-opening program during holidays, and staff said CBP is evaluating changes to the timing of that program because it was more effective during the Christmas season than during Thanksgiving.
A trustee asked whether a recent change in federal administration had altered project timelines; the operations staff member said the timeline had not changed and that the team is awaiting formal questions on the presidential permit but remains on schedule. Staff credited continuity between the current and previous managers and support from city administration for keeping projects on pace.
No formal votes or approvals were taken on bridge contracting or construction at the meeting; the board received the update for information and did not direct staff to take immediate procurement or construction action.
