Gateway International Bridge to undergo multimillion-dollar renovations

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Gateway International Bridge has secured $264 million in funding for a renovation and expansion project expected to be completed in 2029.

Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. said the project has been in the works for eight years. The General Services Administration awarded the contract to Brasfield & Gorrie LLC for the Gateway International Bridge Land Port of Entry modernization project.

This is the first renovation the bridge will receive since 1959 under the Eisenhower Administration.

"The Valley as a whole and Cameron County have grown quite a bit," Judge Treviño said. "Especially over the last 5, 10, 15 years so we need more lanes, and we need more personnel."

Clarence Lee, a Brownsville resident who has crossed the Gateway International Bridge several times, said there's always traffic that could last hours.

"It is horrible! It's easy going across, but coming back you better have a full tank of gas, you better have some patience cause you're going to be sitting in line a long time," Lee said.

The modernization project will demolish existing facilities and expand them. Upgrades will include the administration building, inspection area, headhouse, and new parking lots. The pedestrian crossing lanes will also be expanded from 5 to 10.

Treviño said until the project's expected completion in 2029, construction may cause some delays.

"When you have a bridge in process or any construction process and you're trying to remain open...you know that if you're trying to still operate, there will be some impediments and there will be some impact on it," he said.

"No one likes construction when it's actually going on but afterward everyone forgets about all the bad times. But yeah the construction will probably not be so much fun," he added.