Laredo police ask city and TxDOT to add signage and barriers at World Trade port approaches

Sergeant Andres Perez of the Laredo Police Department told the Laredo Bridge Advisory Committee that officers assigned to port operations regularly spend hours walking lanes on I‑69 West to identify empty tractor‑trailers when the Mexican crossing is closed. The department recommended clearer “empty lane” signage at three locations on I‑69 West, Spanish‑first sign text, extended concrete barriers along the frontage road and a permanent barrier at the FM‑1472 on‑ramp to reduce drivers cutting the line.

Perez said officers today must physically stop and ask trucks whether they are empty and then direct them into the left lane, which uses police time that could be spent on other tasks. “Our goal is to place signage and barriers in order to facilitate movement and increase the efficiency for port operations,” he said.

The presentation showed photos of faded or upside‑down pavement signage and several informal dirt tracks where trucks are entering and exiting the frontage road near Exit 1. Perez proposed either continuing concrete barriers where they taper off or excavating a shallow ditch to make the paths impassable.

Deputy Chief Benito Martinez said the department plans to present the package to the Texas Department of Transportation and to the city and confirmed meetings were already scheduled with TxDOT. Bridge staff clarified that areas inside the city’s “horseshoe” are within municipal jurisdiction and that TxDOT controls signage along I‑69 outside that zone; staff said they would check jurisdiction and the track record for implementing the suggested signs.

Committee members discussed funding and responsibility. Perez and Martinez said Texas A&M/TxDOT funding was not involved for these recommendations; the department expects to ask TxDOT to install signage where under TxDOT control and to ask City Council to consider any local funding needs for additional barriers. Bridge director Richard (identified in the meeting as “bridge director”) confirmed the Horseshoe area falls under the city and that staff would follow up on who must authorize and pay for each element.

A committee member moved to place the Laredo Police Department recommendations on the record and forward them for City Council and TxDOT consideration; a second was recorded and the motion passed on a voice vote with no opposition noted.

The committee did not adopt design drawings or authorize construction; the action was limited to forwarding the department’s recommendations for consideration by City Council and TxDOT. Staff said they would report back with jurisdictional clarification and next steps to request installations from TxDOT or funding allocations from the city.