Darling: Pharr Bridge should focus on produce; Anzalduas on finished goods

MCALLEN, Texas – Former McAllen Mayor Jim Darling says that to improve efficiency, Pharr International Bridge should focus on crossing fresh produce and Anzalduas International Bridge should specialize in finished goods.

That is, once Anzalduas is able to take fully loaded trucks, which should be early in 2025.

Asked about Anzalduas, Darling said: “The bridge is getting ready for full freight. I think that it is really exciting for the whole area.

“Although the federal government doesn’t want to limit one (bridge) to freight and one (bridge) to vegetables, that’s the way it is going to work. Why would you take vegetables over to McAllen and have them sitting behind cargo stuff? And vice versa. It (specialization) is going to be really great for the area, I think.”

The way Darling explains it, it sounds as though this demarcation has been agreed upon by all parties. However, listening to Pharr Bridge Director Luis Bazan, limiting his port of entry solely to fresh produce is not in the City of Pharr’s plans.

Asked if the Pharr Bridge will become “more than just the produce bridge” once the second span is built, Bazan said:

“Absolutely. We have always been more than just the produce bridge. If you look at the value of goods, if you look at our trade numbers, the value of goods, it is higher on the manufacturing end, on the maquila end, with medical devices, technology, automotive. Also, oil and gas,” Bazan said.

“This is going to be key deal for us going forward in the form of exports. But produce will continue to run its course through here. But, again, what else are we bringing in? What other products are out there that the consumers want that we are not yet crossing through this bridge?”

Bazan pointed out that the City of Pharr recently hired George Selvera to chase down more business for the bridge.

Darling made his comments during a podcast with Rio Grande Guardian anchor Mark Hanna. He predicted Hidalgo International Bridge will remain the main bridge for pedestrians and passenger vehicles.

Darling pointed out that Rio Grande Valley cities that have land ports of entry only receive toll revenues from trucks, passenger vehicles and pedestrians traveling south. He said Anzalduas International Bridge currently brings in close to $6 million a year for its joint owners – McAllen, Mission and Granjeno.

“There is enough room for everybody to make some pretty good money,” Darling said.

In the podcast, Darling revisited the legal battles that took place when McAllen took control of the Hidalgo Bridge in the early 1960s. He also spoke about some early disagreements with the City of Mission when Anzalduas was being planned.

“They are cash cows,” Darling said of the international bridges.

He said U.S. Customs & Border Protection has been a great partner to the cities with bridges. “They have been fantastic people. They understand what it is all about. It is not all just catching crime and drugs. It is also about commerce.”

Darling also recognized the importance of the McAllen Foreign Trade Zone, which is based in between the Pharr and Anzalduas bridges off of Military Highway.

“We have a lot of logistics over here. A lot of people in McAllen have no concept of how big the trade zone is down there. They have no idea. I said, let’s get an aerial (shot), so we got a drone and we put that in our (marketing) deal. But it’s big.”

Darling added: “We want to see all the bridges do well. If everybody is doing well, we are all doing better.”

Editor’s Note: Here is the podcast:

Editor’s Note: The above podcast is the first in a three-part series with Mayor Darling. Part Two will focus on water. Part Three will focus on regionalism.

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