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Officials say environmental review stalled but Washington contacts may speed World Trade bridge expansion
Summary
Bridge staff reported progress identifying the federal reviewer for the World Trade expansion’s environmental assessment and said two $25 million grant applications were submitted Feb. 24, 2026; decisions are expected by June 28, while construction remains tied to pending federal clearances.
Bridge staff reported updates on the World Trade and Colombia bridge expansions, saying recent meetings in Washington identified the correct federal reviewer and could help move the project through the environmental-assessment process.
The consultant and staff told the committee that the environmental assessment (NEPA) had been delayed because the previous reviewer retired after a presidential administration change; staff said the consultant has now located the current reviewer at the International Boundary and Water Commission and hopes to expedite clearance. "Our consultant is able to talk to IBWC," a staff speaker said, noting the assessment will be posted for public comment and that the public-comment period will be 30 days.
Staff also told members the construction start remains tied to federal signoffs. Packet materials presented to the committee included a timeline that lists a January construction milestone; staff reiterated that schedule remains contingent on the outstanding permits and federal acceptance.
Separately, staff said two grant applications of $25 million each were submitted Feb. 24, 2026 to a Department of Transportation competitive program. "We submitted two bill grants, 25 million each for both projects," the bridge report stated on the record. Staff said the DOT typically receives about 1,000 applications and awards roughly 150 and that award notifications are expected by June 28.
Committee members discussed outreach to federal and state representatives to support the applications, and staff said they could provide application identifiers or file numbers if available so private‑sector partners can make advocacy calls. Staff said consultants will share debrief details if awards are not made.
What’s next: the committee will seek expedited federal review via the consultant contact at IBWC and will report back at the next monthly update. If permits and NEPA clearance are finalized, staff said construction could proceed per the timeline in the packet.
